HMRC warn people about potential scams

Tax credits customers in Monklands should be“vigilant and alert”to potential scams.

That’s according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) who said that, In the 12 months to April 30, 2021, they responded to more than 1.1m (1,154,300) referrals of suspicious contact from the public; more than 576,960 of these offered bogus tax rebates.

In the same period, HMRC has worked with telecoms companies and Ofcom to remove more than 3000 malicious telephone numbers, and with internet service providers to take down over 15,700 malicious web pages.

HMRC also responded to 443,033 reports of phone scams in total, 135 per cent up on the previous year.

Anyone in Monklands doing their tax credits renewal who has received a tax or benefits scam email or text might be tricked into thinking it was from HMRC and share their personal details with the criminals or even transfer money for a bogus overpayment.

HMRC’S cyber security operations identifies and closes down scams every day. The department has pioneered the use in government of technical controls to stop its helpline numbers being spoofed, so that fraudsters can no longer make it appear that they are calling from those HMRC numbers.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’S director general for customer services, said:“we’re urging all of our customers to be really careful if they are contacted out of the blue by someone asking for money or bank details. There are a lot of scams out there where fraudsters are calling, texting or emailing customers claiming to be from HMRC. If you have any doubts, we suggest you don’t reply directly, and contact us yourself straight away.

“Search GOV.UK for our‘scams checklist’ and to find out‘how to report tax scams’.”

If Monklands customers cannot verify the identity of a caller, HMRC recommends that you do not speak to them. Customers can check GOV.UK for HMRC’S scams checklist to find out how to report tax scams and recognise genuine HMRC contact.