Fraudsters targeting self-assessors, says HMRC

Date: 8th January 2009

Malicious fraudsters are targeting small businesses and self-employed individuals through an intricate series of scams, it has been revealed.

According to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the perpetrators have been posing as government officials and informing recipients that they are due a taxation rebate, before demanding their bank and personal details.

In response to the scam, HMRC has informed tax payers and self-assessors that the department will only ever contact those who are due a refund via post - never by telephone, email or through external agents.

Chief executive of HMRC, Lesley Strathie, commented: "This is the most sophisticated and prolific phishing scam that we have encountered.

"I would strongly encourage anyone receiving such an email to send it to us for investigation."

This year's deadline for self-assessment tax returns falls on January 31st, with all submissions to HMRC now having to be made online through its website.