HMRC warns of new business fraud threat

Date: 28th July 2008

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has warned small businesses and sole traders about a new email fraud that is currently targeting them.

According to the organisation, businesses and sole traders are the focus of a new phising attack that involves emails claiming to be from HMRC.

The fraudulent communications claim that a package for the business is being held en-route from France.

It then asks the recipient to fill out a customs declaration.

However, an HMRC statement warned: "This is not an official HMRC email. There is an attachment to the email. Attachments can contain viruses and should not be opened.

"If you have received an email such as this, please be aware that HMRC do not pursue money in this way."

Earlier this month, HMRC reported that a number of charities had been targeted by fraudsters. The scam involved letters bearing HMRC's heading that were sent to number of amateur sports clubs and charitable bodies. These asked for bank details in order to make a repayment.

At the time, HMRC stressed that it would never make contact "by email for this type of information".