HMRC is warning people to be wary of bogus tax refund offers following the self assessment deadline on 31 January.
The tax authority says that fraudsters could set their sights on self assessment taxpayers, with more than 11.5 million submitting a tax return by last month’s deadline.
HMRC warns that taxpayers who completed their tax return for the 2022/23 tax year by the 31 January deadline might be taken in by an email, phone call or text message offering a tax rebate.
These phishing scams are designed to use personal details for selling on to criminals, or to access people’s bank accounts, says HMRC.
The warning comes after HMRC responded to 207,800 referrals from the public of suspicious contact in the past year to January. This is a 14% increase from the 181,873 reported for the previous 12 months. More than 79,000 of those referrals offered bogus tax rebates.
Kelly Paterson, HMRC’s Chief Security Officer, said: ‘With the deadline for tax returns behind us, criminals will now try to trick people with fake offers of tax rebates.
‘Scammers will attempt to dupe people by email, phone or texts that mimic government messages to make them appear authentic.’
22/02/2024
View all >
01/05/2024
HMRC online NIC payment service
HMRC has launched a new online voluntary national insurance payment service.
READ MORE
HMRC tax rules for WFH commuting
HMRC has updated guidance on when tax relief is available on travel expenses for staff who work from home.
FSB calls for Ofgem to 'take action'
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the energy regulator Ofgem to ‘take action’ on the standing charges paid by UK small firms.
Sign up to keep in touch to receive our latest news and industry updates.
* *
Yes, I would like to receive email updates providing me with the latest finance news, advice guides and details of future events.