Warning - HMRC Scam

nheather · 26-09-2009, 7:59 AM

I just received an email, supposedly from HMRC saying that I have overpaid my taxes by £178.25.

Now immediately this said SCAM to me because

(i) Addressed to Dear Applicant
(ii) Wrong time of year
(iii) I pretty positive that HMRC don't send emails out like this

But it made me look twice because this one is better than the usual ones. It is well written, and the normal check I do of looking at senders email details passes (looks like it has come from HMRC).

The trick is they provide an HTML form to complete, which looks authentic because they have nicked the style of the HMRC website but of course rather than funds being refunded to the supplied credit card they will be taken out.

Thought I'd warn people. Still obviously a SCAM if you give it a second look but one of the better implemented ones. Made me give it a second look before binning it.

Cheers,,

Nigel

Thermaloy · 26-09-2009, 8:11 AM

A friend of mine has warned me about a scam - a telephone call which alleges it is from BT claiming you owe money which, if not paid immediately, will result in your telephone being cut off. They offer a demonstration by asking you to hang up and then dial a certgain number. You do that and nothing happens. A few minutes later they recall and confirm you were unable to dial out. The trick is that although you hang up the caller does not, and you cannot cut off an incoming call on the BT network - so it appears that they have done as they said. The bottom line is they need credit or charge card details . . . . . be wary.