[UK] HMRC give examples of phishing emails and bogus contact

HMRC are often sending out messages to individuals saying that they should be vigilant and ensure that contact from HMRC is genuine.  This will often be by email and is known as phishing, which is the fraudulent act of emailing a person to get their personal or financial information.  The emails will often contain a link to a bogus website that asks individuals to enter personal details, including bank details.

HMRC provides a list of what they currently contact individuals about.  On the 1^st of July 2019, this list included things such as:

• Research to understand assisted digital and digitally excluded support needs
• Research with businesses who trade with the EU
• Research about using the Tax-Free Childcare account
• Telephone interviews about the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage and
• Promoting the Personal Tax Account

The warning being then that if HMRC contact you about anything not on the list, it is likely to be bogus.  The Global Payroll Association recommends people subscribe to the “Phishing and scams” email alerts to be kept updated.

On the 10^th of July 2019, HMRC updated another document giving examples of phishing and bogus contact that purportedly comes from HMRC.  This is all for the purpose of giving people the knowledge to help them decide if the contact is genuine.  It talks about and gives examples of:

• Tax refund and rebate scams
• Bogus text alerts
• Bogus phone calls
• WhatsApp messages and
• Refund companies

Good advice at the bottom of the document is that if there is any doubt, contact HMRC for verification at phishing@hmrc.gov.uk sending them the message / contact.

HMRC are often sending out messages to individuals saying that they should be vigilant and ensure that contact from HMRC is genuine.  This will often be by email and is known as phishing, which is the fraudulent act of emailing a person to get their personal or financial information.  The emails will often contain a link to a bogus website that asks individuals to enter personal details, including bank details.

HMRC provides a list of what they currently contact individuals about.  On the 1^st of July 2019, this list included things such as:

• Research to understand assisted digital and digitally excluded support needs
• Research with businesses who trade with the EU
• Research about using the Tax-Free Childcare account
• Telephone interviews about the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage and
• Promoting the Personal Tax Account

The warning being then that if HMRC contact you about anything not on the list, it is likely to be bogus.  The Global Payroll Association recommends people subscribe to the “Phishing and scams” email alerts to be kept updated.

On the 10^th of July 2019, HMRC updated another document giving examples of phishing and bogus contact that purportedly comes from HMRC.  This is all for the purpose of giving people the knowledge to help them decide if the contact is genuine.  It talks about and gives examples of:

• Tax refund and rebate scams
• Bogus text alerts
• Bogus phone calls
• WhatsApp messages and
• Refund companies

Good advice at the bottom of the document is that if there is any doubt, contact HMRC for verification at phishing@hmrc.gov.uk sending them the message / contact.