Be Scam Aware - HM Revenue & Customs - suspicious emails

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is warning consumers to be aware of emails that claim you are entitled to a tax rebate.

We have received information from a concerned colleague who has recently received two suspicious emails in the space of a few days. The emails appear to be sent by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and at first glance appear to be genuine. The email claims that you are entitled to receive a tax refund of £xxx and in order for the refund to be claimed the recipient must open and complete an attached form, provide the personal and financial information requested, and then submit the form within six days.

However, upon further examination the email address of the sender is given as hmrct@taxes.co.uk when in fact email addresses for HMRC end with @hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.

Based on the information provided we believe that this email is a "phishing" scam, designed to obtain your personal and financial details. In most cases these types of emails will have a web-link for you to follow or an attached document to open.

Our advice to consumers is, if you receive one of these emails, please act with extreme caution. The HMRC never sends notifications of tax rebates, or requests personal information, by email. Never open any attached documents or click on web-links, as these may contain viruses that may harm your computer.

If you have any doubts as to whether an email is actually from HMRC or not, report it by forwarding it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then delete the email from your computer. For further advice on "phishing" emails, please visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/security

If you have any information about suspect rogue traders or would like to report a possible scam please initially contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, in order so that all relevant regulatory authorities can be notified.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Kind regards

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

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Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ

Telephone: 0300 300 8136 Email: trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

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