HMRC issues fraud warning

Date: 8th January 2008

A number of fraudsters are using a bogus connection with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in an attempt to extract money from individuals and small businesses, the organisation has warned.

HMRC advised people to be extra vigilant in light of recent 'phishing' scams, in which unsolicited emails are sent to targets asking for financial details and claiming to be from an employee of HMRC.

The organisation has urged people not to be fooled by use of the official HMRC logo on emails and issued some tips for spotting unauthorised online correspondence.

Fraudulent messages are unlikely to be addressed to the recipient personally and will often use departmental names that are no longer in existence, HMRC stated, before urging those who receive a suspicious email not to follow any links embedded in the message.

Any suspect emails should be forwarded on to HMRC as part of the fight against online fraud, the tax body added.

HMRC recently warned that failure to meet the January 31st tax return deadline will result in a £100 fine.