Police warning about HMRC phone call scam

Scammers say you are being taken to court

HINCKLEY Police are warning residents about phone call scammers trying to take people’s money by posing as representatives from HMRC.

The fake callers ask for money to be paid instantly to them in order to prevent court action, warn- ing of police action if their victims do not comply.

Hinckley Police said via its Facebook page: “This has been confirmed as a scam and any phone calls of this nature should be reported to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

“If you are in any doubt DO NOT PAY.

“You can also contact HMRC on 0345 300 3900 or visit their website.”

Mark Stephenson told The Hinckley Times his experience of being called by the fraudsters.

He said: “I was contacted last week at approximately 1pm by an automated phone call telling me I’m going to be prosecuted by Her Majesty’s Government and to press one for details of the pending court case.

“On pressing one, I was immediately answered by a strong accented Indian who asked me my name, I gave just my surname to which he then gave me my postcode and asked if that was correct.

“I said it was, but I was suspicious as I hadn’t given my first names or how my surname was spelt, which everyone gets wrong.”

The man then asked for his National Insurance number and date of birth, warning that if he did not cooperate then a police officer would be sent to verify the information.

Mr Stephenson said: “I happily said I would wait for the police to come and put the phone down.

“I then contacted the HMRC and asked them if they had a prosecution pending on me and how they would contact me.

“As you can guess it is a scam, they would only contact you by letter and they had nothing against my name, which was what I expected.

“I think you need to warn readers about the above mentioned scam, as I’m sure some people will be taken in by it.”

The phone number the scammers used in contacting Mr Stephenson was 0203 389 5612.