What you need to know about fake HMRC emails and calls

Have you received an email or text about a tax refund you weren’t expecting? Or perhaps you’ve received a phone call threatening you with a court summons for not paying your tax? The idea of a tax refund might be appealing but getting a hoax call about legal action may be terrifying, so it’s important to know what signs to look out for when dealing with fake HMRC calls and emails.

No-one likes to be duped and there’s so much spam and scamming going on right now, so here’s our guidance on what to look out for and how to stay vigilant against any so-called HMRC phishing attempts.

If you’ve already received an email from a spam address pretending to be HMRC, or been promised a tax refund and told to enter your bank details, you’ll know what we’re talking about. We’ve heard it all from clients, including those who have received a phone call about outstanding tax debts with threat of court action. But if you haven’t, how do you know when it’s a hoax? If it feels suspicious, it probably is, so here’s how you can tell.

There are many phishing emails currently being circulated that appear to be from HMRC.  Some seem to ask you to log into your Self-Assessment account and some are bold enough to ask for your bank details so you can receive your unexpected tax refund. Some are even sent by text notification.  HMRC will not contact you about a specific debt or refund by email and will certainly not do so by text. They may however send an email to notify you of an update to a tax code, or about Government support facilities or to file a VAT Return without requesting your personal details. Generally any email asking for your details will be spam.  If you do receive an email you are unsure of, you should never open any link within the email, and log in to your account independently via HMRC’s main website to check the position at; https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs    

There are many dubious callers scaring taxpayers into believing they have unpaid tax and who are then threatening court summons or police action.  These are the worst as they are hoping you will make a payment there and then to give away your hard earned cash.  You should not do this under any circumstance.  This type of phone call would never be the first time you are reminded of an outstanding debt and if you do have an old tax bill still pending you will have received numerous reminders by post beforehand and you’d already know about it. HMRC may genuinely call you to chase a payment but you should always call back on HMRC’s correct telephone number per their website to ensure you make the payment correctly. Never give your payment details over the phone to someone who has called you and if making payment, always go via the link on HMRC’s website rather the link given on a suspicious email.

What is phishing?

It’s the fraudulent act of contacting a person (mail/call/text) in order to obtain their personal or financial information such as passwords, credit card or bank details. Be aware that HMRC only ever contact by phone or post and any emails will only be of a general nature. HMRC never send notifications of tax rebates or anything confidential by text or email.

What to do?

If you receive an email or an unexpected phone call, please do NOT:

• Give out your private information

• Reply to any text messages

• Download any attachment

• Click any links in the email

• Disclose any payment information

Here are few examples of email addresses of scam emails:

• service.refund@hmrc.gov

• secure@hmrc.co.uk

• taxrefund-notice@hmrc.gov.uk

• taxrefund@hmrc.gov.uk

• refund-help@hmrc.gov.uk

• refund.alert@hmrc.gov.uk

• refunds@hmrc.gov.uk

• rebate@hmrc.gov.uk

• HM-Revenue-&-Customs@ztoro.com

If you do receive anything suspicious you should report it to;

• HMRC at phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, or you can report it by text to 60599 (charged at your network rate),

• Action Fraud https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime

• Google or other - if it appears as an advert in their search result

You can check HMRC’s detailed guidance on recognising and dealing with scams if you need further information.

This time of year there’s so many fraud and scam attempts being made. Stay alert, be prepared and don’t get caught out. And if in doubt, always seek advice.

FUSE is an independent Chartered Certified firm of accountants and tax advisors based in Highgate Village, North London. We provide a dynamic range of services to clients working in property, media, entertainment and professional services. Our clients vary in size from self employed sole traders, small enterprises and medium size businesses. We believe that comprehensive financial planning and sound business financial advice are the keys to growth and profitability.