People urged to beware of scam HMRC emails

A rash of scam emails, appearing to have been sent by the tax office, have sparked a warning from Peterborough accountants Rawlinsons.

The firm has noted an upturn in the number of concerned people calling its offices after receiving an email purporting to be from HMRC.

With last month marking the end of the tax year the emails, which particularly mention a tax rebate, seem feasible. But the government’s tax department – HMRC – doesn’t use emails to alert people to their tax position.

“We regularly get calls from clients who have received emails which appear to be from HMRC and suggesting a tax rebate is due,” said Ken Craig, partner at Rawlinsons. “In the last month we have seen an increase in the number of calls – probably as those organising this type of scam take advantage of the timing of the end of the tax year.”

The latest round of emails details the name of a ‘tax credit officer’ and provides legitimate looking reference numbers – and realistic looking links to websites.

Yet HMRC’s own website clearly states “HMRC do not send notifications of a tax rebate by email, or request that you update your security clarification.”

Ken said: “We urge anyone who receives an email like this to delete it immediately and NOT to click on any of the links within it. A quick phone call to HMRC – or your accountant – can confirm whether you have any rebate due and how to claim it.”

Rawlinsons is bracing itself for another round of emails following the news that around 146,000 people who started to receive their state pension during 2010-11, and who had other income, may have underpaid tax as a result of an HMRC computer glitch.

“We have been warned by industry bodies that scammers may latch onto this error and target pensioners with emails or phone calls asking for personal banking details,” said Ken. “The same rules apply. HMRC will contact you in writing but you can speak to them or your accountant to check your status.”

Rawlinsons is a firm of Chartered Accountants, Business and Tax Advisers providing a complete range of accounting, business, taxation and specialist services from offices in Lincoln Road, Peterborough.