Scam Email - Tax Refund.

[Jacqui Harvey]

Saw a warning on T.V. this week about emails that say you have a tax refund, apparently, a number of people believed this and put in all their bank details and had their accounts cleared.
H.M.Revenue & Customs say they never send such emails. I received one this afternoon, see below, (note two mistakes ) I have reported this and will delete it.

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 15 January 2010

Please submit the form attached to confirm the refund.


S. M.Roberts
Senior Manager
HM Revenue & Customs

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

[ukchris]

i get about 5 of these a day from various sources.

HSBC
EGG
Barclays
Alliance & Leicester
HM Customs & Excise - Overpayment Of VAT
HM Customs & Excise - Tax Refund

The list goes on......

Basically, your bank will NEVER email you and ask you to verify your details, nor will the taxman

These are not viruses, it is classed as 'phishing' (fishing for your details)

So make sure you don't ever bite

On a plus note, the number of malicious viruses seems to be falling at present. Most I am seeing on a daily basis are 'rogue anti virus' programs will make you think you have virus's so you will buy the program.

I bet I do 10 calls a week fixing these type for people, or 1 if your the taxman ;o) typo

[littlereddevil]

anyone have the address to report these scam emails please?

[Eric]

You can report them to me if you wish.  Forward them on to my e-mail address and please attach your bank details so I can verify that it is a phishing attempt.  I will then report these to the correct departments. :

[littlereddevil]

lol

[Scunner]

I don't think even the tax office would copyright one of it's own letters  

[LeeGlo]

They must be mad to pretend to be the tax man. IF you EVER manage to get a tax rebate they either credit it in your salary or send you a cheque.

[grahamturner09]

That's not the sort of email I get from the tax man anyway, mine usually start with Dear Mr Turner where is our f+++ing money.

[Jacqui Harvey]

This is the address to report these phishing emails.  phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.
Send them the full message header as well.
I get them all the time now, just got one this morning and when I looked into the properties it had come from Japan.  I have forwarded as usual to the above email address.

[littlereddevil]

Thanks Jacqui