Scams growing as tax deadline looms
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A record 83,000 scam emails offering fake tax refunds were reported to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in September. What’s more, use of the technique, known as phishing, seems to be growing in the run-up to the 31 October deadline for paper self-assessment tax returns, with an unprecedented 10,000 reports of the fraud made to HMRC on one day alone.
The scam tells the recipient they are due a tax refund and asks for bank account or credit card details. The criminal gangs behind it move fast with the different websites sending the emails, operating for just 20 minutes before the domain name alters. “We only contact customers who are due a refund in writing by post,” said John Harrison, the head of HMRC’s customer contact. “We never use emails, telephone calls or external companies in these circumstances. I would strongly encourage anyone receiving such an email not to open it, send it to us for investigation at phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then delete it.”
HMRC added that it is taking action to disrupt the bogus websites and, with other law enforcement agencies in Britain and abroad, several scam networks have been shut down.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments