Thursday October 10 2024
Swindon & Wiltshire News
HMRC is warning taxpayers of a number of phishing email scams doing the rounds.
The scams attempt to glean personal information from business owners, and in some cases come with a computer virus attached.
The most popular seems to be a notification of the publication of an Employer Bulletin. “This edition contains the latest information about filing your PAYE information in real time,” claims the email, which comes from a genuine-looking address – employers@alerts.hmrc.gov.uk
A second email, from the same source, starts “Thank you for your registration details which have been recorded for email alerts purposes only.”
In both cases the email comes with a zip file, which recipients are encouraged to open. Once they do, a virus is downloaded onto their computer.
HMRC said: “HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will never send notifications of a tax rebate / refund by email, or ask you to disclose personal or payment information by email.
“Do not visit the website contained within the email or disclose any personal or payment information.
“These emails are issued by fraudsters to try obtain personal/payment information.”
HMRC said genuine-looking emails addresses includedtaxrefund@hmrc.gov.uk, refunds@hmrc.gov.uk, alertsonline@hmrc.co.uk and rebate@hmrc.gov.uk.
A full list – along with some of the phishing scams posing as HMRC communications – can be found at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/examples.htm
