Reports to HMRC of fraudulent emails soar

Reports of fraudulent "phishing" emails have risen by 300 per cent over the past year, HM Revenue & Customs has confirmed.

It is essential that anyone receiving an email claiming to be from HMRC telling the taxpayer that they are due a tax repayment does not follow the email's instructions.

The emails provide a "click-through link" to a cloned replica of the HMRC website. The recipient is then asked to provide their credit or debit card details. Providing the information asked for enables criminals to steal the account.

Victims risk not only having their bank accounts emptied but also their personal details being sold on to other organised criminal gangs.

Almost 24,000 such emails were reported to HMRC in August alone - an increase of nearly 300 per cent compared to the same month last year.

HMRC is currently helping to shut down around 100 scam websites a month.

Joan Wood, Director of HMRC Online and Digital, said: "We only ever contact customers who are due a tax refund in writing by post. We currently don't use telephone calls, emails or external companies in these circumstances. If anyone receives an email claiming to be from HMRC, please send it to phishing[at]hmrc.gsi.gov.uk before deleting it permanently.

"The increase in reports is partly due to improved awareness of this scam. However, I have no doubt that more of these "phishing" emails are in general circulation than ever before.

"HMRC will do everything possible to ensure those receiving this email know what steps to take to protect their information, and we are working closely with other law enforcement agencies to target the criminals behind this serious crime and see them brought to justice."