Almost half a million benefit claimants have received fraudulent messages claiming they are owed tax credit refunds, HMRC has warned.
The tax authority said customers should be vigilant and alert to the warning signs, amid a rise in criminals targeting people's bank details with clone official websites.
It comes as HMRC continues to write to customers with this year’s tax credit renewal packs.
In the 12 months to 30 April 2021, HMRC said it responded to more than 1,154,300 referrals of suspicious contact from the public. More than 576,960 of these offered fraudulent tax rebates.
In the same period, HMRC and Ofcom have taken down 3,000 malicious telephone numbers and 15,700 websites purporting to be the tax authority.
HMRC said phone scams are also up 135%, with 443,033 cases reported in the past year.
There are concerns that people doing tax credits renewals could be tricked into thinking the messages and calls are legitimately from HMRC.
The messages ask customers to share their personal details and in some cases, transfer money for a fake overpayment.
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.”
If customers cannot verify the identity of a caller, HMRC recommends that you do not speak to them.
Tax credits help working families with targeted financial support, so it is important that people don’t miss out on money they are entitled to.
Customers have until 31 July to notify HMRC of any change in circumstances that could affect their tax credits.
Tax credits customers must report the changes to HMRC. Circumstances that could affect tax credits payments include changes to:
- Living arrangements
- Childcare
- Working hours
- Income changes
Customers do not need to report any temporary falls in their working hours as a result of coronavirus.
They will be treated as if they are working their normal hours until the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme closes.
If customers haven’t received their renewal pack by June 4, they will need to contact HMRC.
How to spot a fraudulent HMRC call or message
- Take a moment to think before parting with your money or information.
- Don’t give out private information or reply to text messages, and don’t download attachments or click on links in texts or emails you weren’t expecting.
- Do not trust caller ID on phones. Numbers can be spoofed.
- It is ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests - only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
- Search ‘scams’ on GOV.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact and how to avoid and report scams.
- Forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599. Report scam phone calls on GOV.UK.
- Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, and report it to Action Fraud (in Scotland, contact the police on 101).
