Help - Possible fake email from HMRC?

indierocker85

Hi

I have a tax refund claim in with the HMRC at the moment for £254.
I have submitted my P60 to them a while ago and just voluntarily submitted proof of benefits received earlier in the year also.

The proof of benefits were only sent yesterday.

Yet just now I have received an email from " <img id="P___1719620940" webimdisplaystyle="inline" style="display: none;"> customers@hmrc.gov.uk"

Saying the following

Dear Applicant:

Following an upgrade of our computer systems and review of our records we have investigated your payments and latest tax returns over the last seven years our calculations show you have made over payments of ?256.99
Due to the high volume of refunds due you must complete the on line application, the telephone help line is unable to assist with this application.
In order to process your refund you will need to complete the attached application form.
Your refund may take up to 3 weeks to process please make sure you complete the form correctly.
As we are upgrading our records we require the completed form showing your full current details by 30 June 2010

Please submit the form attached to confirm the refund.


S. M.Roberts
Senior Manager
HM Revenue & Customs

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ЁП Copyright 2010, HM Revenue & Customs UK All rights reserved.
TAX REFUND ID: A29R119

I don't recall every giving the tax man my email address, and when the attachment is opened it is a seemingly genuine looking form. However it asks for my address and card details. And there is no indication as to where I am supposed to send it.

Is this legit?

pelirocco

In all my dealings with HMRC they never email ................can you imagine what their inboxes would be full of lol

Mikeyorks

indierocker85 wrote: »

Is this legit?

Not in the slightest. Delete it. Any relationship to the timing / value of your claim is purely co-incidental.

'Dear applicant' and the fact you haven't provided your Email address is a significant giveaway. This on the HMRC homepage adds the finishing touch :-

HMRC will never send notifications of a tax rebate by email, or ask you to disclose personal or payment information by email

indierocker85

Found this http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/examples.htm

The startling and strange thing, is that I am actually owed £254. And somehow whoever is circulating this email. HAs near enough produced the exact figure that I already know I am owed.

Yet HMRC have said this is a scam.

Weird

Mikeyorks

indierocker85 wrote: »

The startling and strange thing, is that I am actually owed £254.

Well they're going to get close with someone? As I said in my earlier post - it's called co-incidence.

I get these mails in batches - up to 12 a day. Normally the 'refund' is between £900 and £1200 with odd pence thrown in to make it appear vaguely legitimate.

Bottom line - HMRC don't Email. It's difficult even getting them to answer the 'phone.

mjm3346

indierocker85 wrote: »

and when the attachment is opened it is a seemingly genuine looking form. However it asks for my address and card details. And there is no indication as to where I am supposed to send it.

Is this legit?

It is as genuine as the e-mails saying you have won a lottery (you have never entered), been given a UN award for people who have been scammed etc etc.

Apart from deleting/reporting as a phishing scam the one thing you should always do is NEVER OPEN THE ATTACHMENTS.

RayWolfe

When did you give HHR&C your email address? I'll tell you: never. So, how come they know it?

Enfieldian

I like the ones where HMRC need to know your credit card security number and PIN so that they can pay your refund into your CC account...

Sigh......