Tax refund scams still a problem

HMRC has published statistics for March 2018 which show that it requested that more than 2,600 phishing websites be removed and that it received over 84,000 reports of suspicious e-mails, phone calls and texts.

Claim your refund! The usual format for phishing e-mails and texts is to suggest that you’re entitled to a refund and then ask you to follow a link to claim it. You might also be asked to provide personal details over the phone. HMRC says that it will never contact you in any of these ways to notify you of refunds for 2017/18 or any other tax year.

Tip: HMRC offers the usual advice for suspected scams; never give your personal or financial details and don’t click on links included in texts or e-mails. Instead forward e-mails to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and texts to 60599, or contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.