Warning over tax scam (From The Argus)
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Warning over tax scam
7:40am Saturday 9th February 2013 in News
A tax return scam is sweeping across Sussex.
Brighton and Hove trading standards staff is warning residents to be on the lookout after some people received an official-looking email apparently from Revenue and Customs.
It claims there has been an error on the calculation of their tax.
But the bogus email address is returns@hmr.com while official HMRC addresses end in .gov.uk.
It is thought that the scam is being distributed to tie in with the end of the tax year, as people are filling in their tax returns.
Jo Player, the council’s trading standards manager, said: “The email address is clearly bogus and we urge people not to hand over their financial information.
“HMRC would advise customers of an under or overpayment in writing.
“The bogus email also contains a hyperlink to click on which takes people to a website that looks like the HMRC site, but that too is false and is designed to obtain bank details.”
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Comments(4)
Sussex jim
says...
8:56am Sat 9 Feb 13
Serious answers, please.
Serf
says...
11:02am Sat 9 Feb 13
Sussex jim wrote:They probably ask for a bit more than your basic bank details. Normally these scams also ask for your card details including the security number on the back. You will also be asked for your personal details such as date of birth, address etc. With this the fraudster can also steal your identity to commit further fraud.
I would genuinely like to know how someone could scam money off me by just having my bank details? Surely anyone I write a cheque to would have my sort code and account number, as they are printed on the cheque?
Serious answers, please.
boblat
says...
10:23pm Sat 9 Feb 13
e warned!!
Goldenwight says...
7:55am Sat 9 Feb 13