HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is advising UK taxpayers to be vigilant against spam and other fraud emails. According to a recent accounting news article in Accountancy Age, the financial new organisation started by UK politician Michael Heseltine, in Summer 2010 HMRC managed to close down nearly 200 fraud sites in response to increasing volumes of spoof phishing emails. .
Incredibly HMRC are reputedly asking for consumers who receive dodgy emails to check the official HMRC site to verify it is a spoof. Almost all internet users know that they should not “click on links’ contained in suspicious emails, or open attachments”. However it is worth repeating because fraudsters are constantly changing their tactics to avoid spam filters and increase the bogus and fake authenticity of their correspondence. The volume and sophistication of the spoof emails means that even experienced web users can caught napping. Hackers go to any lengths since the information they get is so valuable if they succeed.,
Internet Security experts advise that scams concerning tax rebates, child benefit or personal finance work best. Any offer of reclaiming free money and the offer of so called facilities to reclaim some cash, on the back of a bogus recognised brand name with ‘intrinsic trust value such as PayPal, A UK High Street Bank or a UK Government organisation such as HMRC, makes it a powerful cocktail with which to intoxicate vulnerable consumers. The potentially highly sensitive personal information can then be sold on or misused for malicious means.
There is also a risk of losing money personally from these spoof phishing activities and fraudulent scams. UK banks and financial institutions have a responsibility to maintain and constantly improve security to counteract hacking and any unauthorised access to liquid funds online.”
HMRC have observed fraudsters using direct marketing techniques via cal centres to target UK taxpayers to obtain invaluable personal and financial information.
A classic fraud involves consumers receiving a phone call informing them of a tax rebate. First they require verification, and request bank card details as the preferred method. If successful, attempts are made to withdraw money from the account, using the details provided. If you are in the unfortunate position of having had this happen to you, you are advised to report the matter immediately to your bank and they are likely to be able to put a stop on your account before the fraudsters succeed in make a demand for money. Time is most certainly of the essence.
HMRC claim that they only ever contact consumers regarding a tax refund in writing by post. and advise any consumer receiving a bogus phone call not to provide any information to the fraudster, and to report it to the police and HMRC as soon as possible.”
It isn’t just personal taxpayers who are at risk. Small and Medium sized UK enterprises have also been widely targeted and they are advised to contact their company accountants if they have any concerns.
