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The scam starts with cold calls or e.mails informing people that they are due a tax rebate or child benefit refund. The communication can look very realistic even showing the HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) logo. The message will ask for personal details, including your bank account numbers which will then be used to withdraw money from the unsuspecting victims. Official bodies such as the HMRC would tell you in writing if you were entitled to a rebate and would never use e.mail or phone. Cllr Clarence Barrett (Cranham, RA) who alerted residents to a similar scam last year said: “It is vital that residents are vigilant against such attempts to extract hard earned money. The scams are becoming more and more sophisticated but a general principle is that if it looks too good or is unexpected, then it best left well alone. “Should you receive any of these e.mails do not reply and simply forward to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk ”. 3.4.10 |
With the tax year at an end the potential for scams offering ‘tax rebates' is set to become more widespread.