HMRC have warned taxpayers not to respond to any emails promising a tax repayment as the emails form part of a ‘phishing’ scam aimed at extracting personal information from the recipient.

As readers of eNews will be aware this is not the first warning issued by HMRC. This latest warning comes as a result of the fact that fraudsters are trying to take advantage of the self assessment deadline by sending thousands of emails to taxpayers telling them that they are due tax refunds and directing them to provide bank or credit card details. The fraudsters then proceed to extract funds from the accounts and to use credit cards up to their limit. In addition some of the information has been sold to organised gangs.

HMRC have reminded taxpayers that they only ever contact customers who are due a refund in writing by post. They never use emails, telephone calls or external companies in these circumstances.

Further guidance on what to do if you receive such an email is available at http://nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosite/Content/Detail.aspx?Clientid=257&NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=410744&SubjectId=36