HMRC warns of business email scam

Date: 9th September 2008

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has revealed that small business owners and sole traders are being targeted by a new email scam.

The government body warned that it had recently noted a significant increase in the number of phishing emails being sent by fraudsters to businesses claiming to be from HMRC.

In the emails, which appear to be from HMRC, a business is informed that it is owed a tax rebate and asked to provide information. However, this data is later used for fraudulent purposes.

A statement from the government body explained: "HMRC would not inform customers of a tax rebate via email, or invite them to complete an online form to receive a rebate of tax.

"Do not visit the website contained within the email or disclose any personal or payment information."

As a precaution, HMRC said businesses should ignore emails from email addresses including taxRefund@hmrc.gov.uk, service@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk, claims@hmrc.direct.gov.uk, notice@hmrc.gov.uk, hmrc@hmrc.gov.uk, admin@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk, info@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and no-reply@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.