Tax email scam warning comes on deadline day

Date: 31st July 2009

Con artists are taking advantage of the July 31st HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) tax deadline and are running email scams, according to Equifax.

The credit reports company believes that fraudsters are contacting victims and offering them a chance to save tax in exchange for credit card and other details, the BBC reports.

People who claim tax credits, including parents of young children and pensioners, are thought to be particularly targeted by the scams.

Equifax's warning comes on the deadline day for tax credit renewals, when millions of Britons must declare their income and other details to the taxation authority in order to continue receiving the benefits.

July 31st is also the deadline for many people who complete a self assessment tax return each year, including those who make payments on account.

Neil Munroe, external affairs director at Equifax, was quoted by the broadcaster as saying: "If you were worried about money and then got the e-mail you might think all your prayers had been answered."

He added that the fact that the cons had appeared around the time of the HMRC deadline day was a hallmark of "cynical timing".