HMRC is calling on people to stay vigilant in the fight against fraudsters, who are using email and text messages to scam them out of their savings while the tax authority is processing tax refunds after the end of the 2017/18 tax year.
However, criminals are taking advantage of this by sending out scam emails and SMS-messages to trick the public into thinking they have received a tax rebate so they hand over their account and personal details.
Treasury minister Mel Stride MP, the financial secretary to the Treasury, said: ‘HMRC only informs you about tax refunds through the post or through your pay via your employer. All emails, text messages or voicemail messages saying you have a tax refund are a scam. Do not click on any links in these messages and forward them to HMRC’s phishing email address and phone number.