Cops have issued a fresh HMRC scam warning after a second Renfrewshire victim was identified.
A 24-year-old man transferred nearly £2,000 to convincing crooks posing as tax office staff after being told his assets would be seized if he didn’t cough up the cash.
He quickly moved the money after the call on Thursday but only later realised he had fallen victim to a cruel scam.
The incident happened on the same day a 32-year-old Paisley man moved £8,000 to a bank account after a fraudster claiming to work for HMRC threatened him with five years in jail.
Police are now probing both incidents and urged people to be very careful when dealing with cold calls requesting money.
Inspector Laura Hamill, from Renfrewshire’s community policing team, said: “Unfortunately, there have been a number of incidents reported in recent days of people in Renfrewshire becoming
victims of phone fraud.
“We would again urge people to be very cautious if they receive a call from someone claiming to work for HMRC out of the blue.
“HMRC will never call you about a payment that you are not already aware of.
“Our advice is to hang up the phone immediately and call HMRC on a recognised number you have sourced independently.”
She added: “Criminals can be very convincing and will often try to create a sense of panic during these types of calls but I would urge people to take their time and stay calm at all times.”
An HRMC spokesman said: “We will only ever call you asking for payment on a debt that you are already aware of, either having received a letter about it, or after you’ve told us you owe some tax, for example through a self-assessment return.
“We work relentlessly to close scams down and make people aware of
them.
“HMRC has a trusted brand which can be abused by fraudsters to trick people trying to fulfil their legal obligations.
“We have invested heavily in protecting taxpayers against scams and anyone who suffers financial loss as a result of one should inform Action Fraud.”
