Santander has issued a warning to customers over a rise in HMRC scams.
Fraudsters have contacted unsuspecting people via email, text, phone call and Whatsapp - and pretended to be from the government to con them into sharing sensitive details.
Scammers claim victims are owed money or are due a tax rebate to trick people into transferring money to different accounts - as The Express reports.
READ MORE: PIP conditions that allow you to claim £608 per month from the DWP
The head of fraud control at the bank urged people to be vigilant as he expects a spike in the scam this month.
Chris Ainsley said: "By taking on the persona of the HMRC, criminals are trying to intimidate their victims by impersonating an institution that most of us recognise and trust.
“With the February extension to the self-assessment deadline fast approaching, we expect to see a significant increase in HMRC scams over the coming weeks.
“Don’t let criminals get away with it. Always check with HMRC directly before acting.”
The bank explained a woman, known only as Miss B, had been scammed out of £849 by HMRC fraudsters.
She had received a phone call from an unknown number and found it belonged to a local courthouse when she checked online.
Miss B later received a second call from the same number, who claimed they were chasing an outstanding debt of £849 or risk arrest.
She followed the caller's instructions to transfer the cash and later received a WhatsApp message asking for a copy of her passport and driving licence to validate the payment.
Miss B provided this information and was then asked to send over her bank details. This prompted her to get in touch with Santander, who confirmed she had fallen victim to a scam.
The bank urged customers to be aware that the government or HMRC will not ask people to transfer money from one account to another or share personal information with anyone.
Santander customers who believe they may be a victim of a scam should call 159 or contact the number on the back of their bank card.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
