Claim your Tax Refund Online! Just enter your bank details …. [Phishing]

Unfortunately scam phishing emails are on the increase again, with a reported 74,743 scam emails referred by taxpayers to HM Revenue & Custom’s (HMRC’s) dedicated phishing email account in the last 6 months – a significant increase on the same period in 2013.

Many people are now aware of the dangers of unsolicited emails; however, with the increasingly realistic and often feasible examples being dreamt up by cyber fraudsters it is certainly getting harder to tell the difference. Below is a recent example of the detail and design of these emails - the colours and typeface are startlingly similar to HMRC’s actual website.

By clicking on the link and ‘claiming your tax refund’ you will be directed to a fake website and encouraged to enter your personal bank details.

Please remember that HMRC will NEVER contact you by email regarding a tax refund but will always send a letter by post. If you receive one of these emails please forward it onto phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk before deleting it.

Phishing emails account for billions of pounds worth of fraud every year. To help stay safe online you can visit www.getsafeonline.co.uk