HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued details of a number of new scams being reported that are designed to trick people into handing over money or their personal information to criminals. The warning is particularly important for around 1.5 million people on Tax Credits who must complete their renewal packs before the end of next month.
HMRC said criminals use key dates like the Tax Credits renewal deadline on July 31 to target their victims and mimic government communications to make them appear genuine. People can renew their Tax Credits for free online at GOV.UK or on the HMRC app.
Typical scams include emails or texts falsely claiming someone's details are not up to date and that the recipient may miss out on payments. Scam messages may also claim a payment has not ‘gone through’ and criminals have also been known to phone people and threaten them with arrest if they do not immediately pay fake tax debts.
HMRC will never call anyone out of the blue, making threats or asking them to transfer money.
Other frauds include claims that someone's National Insurance number has been used in fraud and emails, or texts offering spurious tax rebates or bogus grants or support.
HMRC is also urging people to be alert to misleading websites or adverts asking them to pay for government services which are free, often by charging for a connection to HMRC helplines.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: "Tax scams come in many forms and we're urging customers to be alert to the tactics used by fraudsters and never to let yourselves be rushed.
"If someone contacts you saying they're from HMRC and asks you to give personal information or urgently transfer money, be on your guard.”
"Search HMRC scams advice on gov.uk to find out how to report scams and help us fight these crimes."
Scam calls or texts can be reported to 7726 - you can find out more about this on the Ofcom website here.
HMRC-related scams to watch out for this summer
People are urged to be on the lookout for:
claims that their National Insurance number has been used in fraud
- emails or texts claiming their details aren’t up to date and that they risk losing out on payments that are due to them
- emails or texts claiming that a direct debit payment hasn’t ‘gone through’
- phone calls threatening arrest if someone doesn’t immediately pay fake tax owed
- emails or texts offering spurious tax rebates or bogus grants or support
HMRC is currently sending out Tax Credits renewal packs to households and is reminding anyone who has not received theirs to wait until after June 15 before contacting them.
To keep up to date with the latest HMRC news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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