HMRC have now published the following advice for claimants, how to report suspected job retention scheme fraud and details of the latest scams in this area.

“You can now claim online for a grant for 80% of your furloughed employees’ salaries, up to a maximum of £2,500 per employee, per month, through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

This scheme will be open until the end of June 2020.

Before you make a claim:

• please read all the available guidance on GOV.UK before you apply
• gather all the information and the precise calculations you need before you start your application – if you have a payroll provider, they will be able to help you with this
• you can find out more in the calculation guidance where you can access a claim calculator – this will allow you to check your claim for most employees who are paid the same amount each pay period
• access our simple step-by-step guide for additional help.

After you’ve made a claim:

• keep a note or a print-out of your claim reference number – you won’t receive a confirmation SMS or email
• retain all records and calculations for your claims, in case we need to contact you about them
• expect to receive the funds six working days after you apply, provided your claim matches records that we hold for your PAYE scheme – please do not contact us before this time
• to receive payment by 30‌‌ April, you will need to complete an application by 22‌‌ April
• please ask your furloughed employees not to contact us directly – we will not be able to provide them with any information on individual claims.

We expect to be very busy so we would ask that you only call us if you can’t find what you need on GOV‌.UK or through our webchat service – this will leave our lines open for those who need our help most.

HMRC will check claims made through the scheme and will act to protect public money against anyone who makes a claim using dishonest or fraudulent information.

We’d encourage you to also protect your own credentials from potential scammers and opportunist criminal activity.

Guidance on GOV.UK is being regularly updated so please review it frequently.

Reporting CJRS fraud

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is part of a collective national effort to protect jobs. The money has come from UK taxpayers and you can play a vital role in making sure it isn’t abused. Fraudulent claims take money from the NHS and limit our ability to support people’s livelihoods.

If you are concerned an employer is abusing the scheme you should report your concerns on GOV.UK. This could include an employer claiming but not paying employees what they’re entitled to, asking them to work while on furlough, or making a backdated claim that includes times when employees were working.

Scams Update

Fraudsters are taking advantage of the package of measures announced by the Government to support people and businesses affected by coronavirus. Scammers text, email or phone taxpayers offering spurious financial support or tax refunds, sometimes threatening them with arrest if they don’t immediately pay fictitious tax owed.

We have published information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact, how to avoid and report scams and examples of phishing emails and bogus HMRC contact on GOV.UK. Forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599. If you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud.”