HMRC offers tips on avoiding Self Assessment tax scams

HMRC is giving information to taxpayers to help them avoid scams ahead of the Self Assessment deadline.

HMRC is giving information to taxpayers to help them avoid scams ahead of the Self Assessment deadline.

HMRC is warning millions of Self Assessment taxpayers to be aware of fraudsters in the run up to the 31 January deadline.

Over the last year, HMRC received almost 900,000 reports from the taxpayers about suspicious HMRC contact, in the form of phone calls, texts or emails. Of these more than 100,000 were phone scams and over 620,000 reports related to bogus tax rebates.

According to HMRC the most common techniques fraudsters use include phoning taxpayers offering a fake tax refund, or pretending to be HMRC by texting or emailing a link to a false page, where their bank details and money will be stolen. Fraudsters are also known to threaten victims with arrest or imprisonment if a bogus tax bill is not paid immediately.

HMRC's Customer Protection team identify and close down scams but taxpayers should recognise the signs to avoid becoming victims. HMRC does not contact taxpayers asking for their PIN, password or bank details. Taxpayers are warned that they should never give out private information, reply to text messages, download attachments or click on links in texts or emails which they are not expecting.

Internet link: GOV.UK news

Always Better
at giving a first class service


3 Kingfisher Court,
Bowesfield Park,
Stockton on Tees,
TS18 3EX



T : +44 (0) 1642 660 300
E : theteam@anderson-barrowcliff.co.uk

We use cookies on this website, you can find more information about cookies here. © 2024 Anderson Barrowcliff LLP. All rights reserved. powered by totalSOLUTION Registered company number: OC334152. Registered company address: Anderson Barrowcliff Limited Liability Partnership, 3 Kingfisher Court, Bowesfield Park, Stockton on Tees, Co Durham TS18 3EX Registered to carry on audit work in the UK and regulated for a range of investment business and consumer credit activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.