Tax credit applicants should be on their guard against scammers, as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) warns about the latest tactics employed by scammers.
HMRC has issued a new alert, providing details of a number of newly reported scams that aim to trick people into handing over money or personal information. Criminals use deadlines, such as the July 31 tax credit renewal deadline, to target their victims, and the department warns about 1.5 million tax credit customers to be on the lookout for scams that mimic tax credits. government communications to appear genuine.
Typical examples of scam include:
- emails or text messages claiming a person’s details are out of date and they risk losing payments due to them
- emails or text messages claiming that a direct debit payment has not “done”
- Phone calls threatening arrest if people don’t immediately pay false taxes owed.
- claims that the victim’s national insurance number has been used in fraud
- emails or text messages offering bogus tax returns or bogus grants or support
myrtle lloyd, HMRCThe Director General of Customer Services said:
Tax scams come in many forms and we are urging customers to be alert to the tactics used by scammers and never get rushed. If someone contacts you saying they are from HMRC and asks you to provide personal information or urgent money transfers, be on your guard. Look for ‘HMRC scam tips on GOV.UK to find out how to report scams and help us fight these crimes.
Fraud messages can be convincing and people may be pressured into making hasty decisions. HMRC will never call anyone out of the blue to threaten them or ask them to wire money.
According to the National Center for Cyber Security, HMRC it was the third most counterfeited government body in 2022, behind the NHS and TV Licensing. HMRC also urges tax credit customers to be on the lookout for deceptive websites or advertisements that ask them to pay for government services that are free, often by charging for a connection to HMRC help lines
HMRC is currently mailing tax credit renewal packets to customers and is reminding anyone who hasn’t received theirs to wait until after June 15 before contacting HMRC.
customers can renew your tax credits free through GOV.UK or the HMRC application. Help and support is available from GOV.UK to help renew the claim for tax credits.
HMRC has a video explaining how tax credit customers can use the HMRC app to view, manage and update your details.
How do I use the HMRC application to manage my tax credits?
By the end of 2024, the tax credits will be replaced by Universal Credit. Customers receiving tax credits will receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) telling them when to claim the Universal Credit. It is important that customers claim by the deadline shown on the letter to continue receiving financial support, as their tax credits will end even if they choose not to claim Universal Credit.
The government is offering Help for Homes. Visit GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support people may be eligible for.
HMRC also warns people not to share their HMRC login details with anyone else. Someone using them could steal from the account owner or make a fraudulent claim in their name and cause customers to have to repay the full value of any fraudulent payment claims made in their name.
More information
Find more about renewal of tax credit claims.
Customers can download the HMRC app for free from your smartphone app store.
In the past year, as of April 2023 HMRC has:
- responded to 170,234 suspicious contact referrals from the public. Of these, 68,437 offered false tax returns.
- worked with the telecom industry and Ofcom to remove 212 phone numbers being used to commit HMRCrelated phone scams
- responded to 58,186 total phone scam reports. In April 2020 we received reports of only 425 phone scams
- reported 26,922 malicious web pages to remove
HMRCthe advice of:
Protect
- Criminals Are Crafty: Protect Your Information
- take a moment to think before parting with your money or information
- use strong and different passwords on all your accounts so criminals have less chance of attacking you
Recognize
- If a phone call, text, or email is suspicious or unexpected, don’t provide private information or respond, and don’t download attachments or click links
- check gov.uk that the contact is genuinely HMRC
- don’t trust caller id on phones. Numbers can be faked
Report
- if you’re not sure about a text message claiming to be from HMRC forward it to 60599, or an email to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Report a tax scam phone call in GOV.UK
- contact your bank immediately if money has been stolen and report it to action fraud. In Scotland, contact the police on 101
- By reporting phishing emails, you help stop criminal activity and prevent others from falling victim
