Hmrc scam text

Shawcastle

Hi all, I just wanted to alert people to a text message I had apparently received from HMRC.

Last week I did call Tax Credits, so the text was not entirely suspicious at first. It simply said: HMRC: Time is running out to renew your tax credits. Do it online now or your payments will stop. Search for Manage Tax Credits.

I haven't renewed yet, so that was fine.

When I called HMRC they advised me to set up a Governement Gateway account, which I did. I then filled out my application for a tax refund. So when the same place sent me the following message, I wouldn't have been suspicious had I not yesterday morning received a letter about the refund from HMRC: You have an outstanding refund of £265.84 from HMRC. Use our secure link to process your refund, your bank may ask for verification. (There was a link at this point but as a new user I can't show you)

The phone shows HMRC as the sender.

I did click on the link through intrigue and the page looks like the Gov website, it asks for every bit of personal info from debit card details to bank account details, to driving license and national insurance numbers.

I have never received any marketing calls on this number, I have always been careful about my data and where I share information, I tick every box to stop my data being shared. This has only happened since I set up that Gateway account. I just want people to be aware because it's either a massive coincidence that it happened just after I set it up or very intelligent scamming. I hope this helps someone else.

Skint_yet_Again

for more info on this and other scams was included on MSE here:


http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/phones/2016/06/warning-fake-hmrc-calls-on-the-rise---what-to-do-if-youve-been-targeted


check HMRC guidance here:


https://www.gov.uk/topic/dealing-with-hmrc/phishing-scams


main guidance seems to be:

"The messages won’t request any personal or financial information".

unforeseen

If you click on the link then even though you may recognise it as a scam, the site has possibly downloaded malware onto your machine to collect your information.

Look closer to home and give your computer a good check with malware and anti-virus tools

Shawcastle

I did it on my phone, I think it'll be fine. I wouldn't have looked on the laptop But thanks for the warning.

Roxy_865

I also received this same text just this morning despite not having contacted the hmrc ever. I clicked on the link (which looked a bit odd, random letters) and up popped a Web page asking for ALL my details - back account, sort code, driving licence national insurance number... so I did a bit of googling. No mention of any refund on the hmrc website at all. I'd expect to see a news article or something, but nothing. I also make sure that I tick the box when buying things online.

Hurray for mse! The only place confirming the scam!!

unforeseen

It's not even a new scam. it's been running for a few years.




As an ongoing scam most sites tend not reiterate the warnings unless a new version appears

A quick Google shows reports from Jan 2015 just on the first page of results

mummylewis

HMRC only ever correspond with people by post. We spoke to a gentleman there a few months ago and he confirmed as such.

They do not e-mail, text or anything else.

So basically anything electronic ignore, ignore, ignore!

ML x

dealer_wins

This scam is as old as the hills!

forgotmyname

The HMRC do email you, i had one the other day saying i had overpaid and they just needed my bank details and my credit card details with the 3 digit code on the back to verify its me

unforeseen

mummylewis wrote: »

HMRC only ever correspond with people by post. We spoke to a gentleman there a few months ago and he confirmed as such.

They do not e-mail, text or anything else.

So basically anything electronic ignore, ignore, ignore!

ML x

They email me every 3 months and tell me to do my VAT return

Valli

forgotmyname wrote: »

The HMRC do email you, i had one the other day saying i had overpaid and they just needed my bank details and my credit card details with the 3 digit code on the back to verify its me

Yep! I have had this too.;) And the amount was exactly the same as the
oP has 'overpaid'

*cue Twilight Zone theme*