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Tax Credits Customers Warned About Scammers Posing As HMRC

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning tax credits customers to be aware of scams and fraudsters who imitate the department in an attempt to steal their personal information or money.

About 2.1 million tax credits customers are expected to renew their annual claims by July 31 and could be more susceptible to the tactics used by criminals who mimic government messages to make them appear authentic.

In the 12 months to April, HMRC responded to nearly 277,000 referrals of suspicious contact received from the public.

Fraudsters use phone calls, text messages and emails to try and dupe individuals – often trying to rush them to make decisions. HMRC will not ring anyone out of the blue threatening arrest — only criminals do that.

Typical scam examples include:

  • Phone calls threatening arrest if people don’t immediately pay fictitious tax owed. Sometimes they claim that the victim’s National Insurance number has been used fraudulently
  • Emails or texts offering spurious tax rebates, bogus Covid-19 grants or claiming that a direct debit payment has failed

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.

"If you have any doubts, we suggest you don’t reply directly, and contact us straight away. Search GOV.UK for our ‘scams checklist’ and to find out ‘how to report tax scams’.”

HMRC does not charge tax credits customers to renew their annual claims and is also urging them to be alert to misleading websites or adverts designed to make them pay for government services that should be free, often charging for a connection to HMRC phone helplines.

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