HMRC urges taxpayers to stay alert to digital scams
HMRC has urged taxpayers to stay alert to the threat of digital scams and scammers claiming to represent HMRC.
Research published by HMRC revealed that the number of tax-related scams has doubled in the past 12 months.
In the past year HMRC has received more than one million referrals from the UK public in regard to suspicious contact, with many fraudsters offering ‘tax refunds’ or ‘rebates’. The research showed that HMRC received 441,954 reports of phone scams and more than 13,315 reports of malicious websites.
HMRC also stated that, over the last year, it has asked internet providers to take down 441 coronavirus (COVID-19) support scheme scam webpages.
Mike Fell, Head of Cyber Security Operation at HMRC, said:
‘The pandemic has given criminals a fresh hook for their activity and we’ve detected more than 460 COVID financial support scams alone since early 2020.
‘HMRC takes a proactive approach to protecting the public from tax-related scams and we have a dedicated Customer Protection Team that works continuously to identify and close them down.’
Internet link: ICAEW website
Need Some Advice?
Looking for some help or a little advice?
Call today on 01484 534431 or fill in our enquiry form below, and we’ll call you back.
Increased fees at Companies House
HMRC publishes guidance on MTD for ITSA for sole traders and landlords
Over one million miss self assessment deadline
HMRC warns self assessment taxpayers as scam referrals rise
Double-cab pickups go back to being vans as guidance reversed
