Fears over tax email that WASN’T a scam

AN EMAIL from HM Revenue & Customs that suggests taxpayers may need to disclose credit card and mortgage details has sparked confusion and concern.

The genuine email about the new marriage allowance — signed by Ruth Owen, HMRC’s director general for personal tax — was supposed to help people fill in the application process to claim the allowance.

It warned that taxpayers would need to have personal details confirmed and that this may have to be done with a credit card or mortgage details.

Because of this many thought the email was a scam. HMRC has been at the centre of a number of fake emails used by fraudsters who trick taxpayers in to making payments.

Colin Willetts, from Birmingham, says: ‘ The suggestion I’d need a photo ID and details of recent credit card and mortgage payments rang oddly, as my wife and I have neither — we’re both pensioners.’

David Lawson, from Northampton, deleted it instantly before deciding it was worth contacting Action Fraud.

‘The way it looked, with a picture of wedding rings, and its language talking of credit card details and even a photo ID really made it feel like a fake or phishing email.’

The new marriage tax allowance — worth up to £212 a year — can be claimed by married couples and civil partners. Eligible couples can switch a slice of their tax-free personal allowance between one another.

It’s been possible to register for the new tax break since February online. A helpline will be launched later this year. A spokesman for HMRC confirmed the emails were genuine and intended as an alert to tell taxpayers about the need for personal details when applying.