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Warning over latest fake tax emails
1st March, 2011
Smailes Goldie Chartered Accountants, in Hull and Barton-upon-Humber, are warning of a new range of so-called 'phishing' emails which aim to steal individuals' bank account details and look as if they have been sent from HM Revenue and Customs.
Martin Overfield, Partner at Smailes Goldie, said:
"The scam messages inform the recipient that they are due a tax rebate and provide a link to a replica of the HMRC website. Visitors are then asked to enter their credit card details which are used to attempt to take funds from their accounts.
"HMRC has reminded taxpayers that it will only contact those due a refund in writing by post, and would never ask people to give out their credit card details. Anyone who receives a suspected phishing email should forward it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk before deleting it permanently".
HMRC also revealed that it has shut down 99 rogue sites responsible for sending out emails of this nature over the past three months.
For more information or advice, please contact Smailes Goldie Chartered Accountants on Hull 01482 326916 or Barton 01652 632927.
