Fraudsters are targeting taxpayers with a sophisticated online scam
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is warning people not to fall for a scam email that suggests the recipient is eligible for a tax refund.
Several readers have contacted Timesonline this week after receiving the messages, which claims personal details such as date of birth and credit card numbers have to be revealed before the money can be repaid. One reader described it as "extremely realistic."
It begins:
"Dear Applicant. After the last annual calculation of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of ...."
A spokesman for the Revenue said: "HMRC would not inform customers of a tax rebate via email, or invite them to complete an online form to receive a rebate of tax. Do not visit the website contained within the email or disclose any personal or payment information."
The fraudulent email is the latest in a series of scam messages that have been sent out claiming to be from HMRC. Another email doing the rounds is one that claims that HMRC has approved the recipient to receive money.
Email addresses used to distribute the fraudulent emails include:
Beware of scam
Posted - 01/08/2009 : 07:19:22
