A record 83,000 scam emails offering fake tax refunds were reported to HMRC in September. The online attacks, known as ‘phishing’, have continued with an unprecedented 10,000 reports of the fraud made to HMRC on one day alone.

The scam email tells the recipient they are due a tax refund and then asks for bank account or credit card details. Anyone who gives these details to the fraudsters risks their bank accounts being emptied and credit cards maxed to their limit. The victim also risks having their personal details sold on to other criminal gangs. The scam originates from various different websites, which operate for 20 minutes before changing their domain name.

A phishing email titled “National Insurance Contributions” is also in circulation stating that a NIC payment has not been made. The email contains a link to a fraudulent website that requests the disclosure of payment/personal details.

Another recent phishing email is in circulation titled “Tax rebate – updated 30 September 2009”. HMRC has confirmed that is not a legitimate email and would not inform customers of a tax rebate via email, or invite them to complete an online form to receive a rebate of tax in any circumstances. Customers should not visit the website contained within the email or disclose any personal or payment information.

The email should be forwarded to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then deleted.

Chartered Accountants Ireland again calls upon HMRC to ensure that its IT infrastructure is fully able to counter attempts to defraud the taxpayer before introducing mandatory electronic filing of tax returns and tax payments.