HMRC has warned of a new scam in which crooks use fake social media accounts to trick people into handing over their financial information.
Criminals are setting up bogus HMRC profiles on Twitter and direct messaging random users to tell them that they are due a tax refund.
But the messages aren’t from genuine accounts, and they are being sent by criminals in an attempt to encourage people to give up their personal and financial information in order to get the supposed rebate.
The taxman warned that it would never offer tax refunds via direct message, and anyone who receives a suspicious message should report it.
The fake account, which has now been shut down, was similar to the official HMRC customer service account, which is @HMRCcustomers, and used the same avatar picture and bio.
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A spokesperson for HMRC said: “HMRC will never notify you of a tax rebate, offer you repayment, or ask you to disclose personal or financial details via Direct Message on Twitter, and we recommend that if you cannot verify the identity of an account that you do not engage with it.”
Fraudsters often pose as HMRC either on the phone, by email or through social media, in order to trick people into giving up their financial information.
Because the taxman does offer tax rebates, which can be significant sums of money, people are often lured into engaging with crooks who are promising to transfer large amounts of cash.
Earlier this month, experts warned of a new scam in which con artists target elderly and vulnerable people into paying bogus tax debts using iTunes gift cards.
Victims were being contacted by fraudsters claiming to be from HMRC and were being told they owe an outstanding debt.
In many cases, the fraudsters ask for payment in iTunes gift card voucher codes, according to fraud experts Action Fraud.
How to protect yourself from HMRC scams
- HMRC will never use texts or social media to tell you about a tax rebate or penalty or ever ask for payment in this way
- Telephone numbers and text messages can easily be spoofed. You should never trust the number you see on your telephones display
- If you receive a suspicious cold call, end it immediately
- If you do receive a suspicious call, text, social media message or email, report it to Action Fraud.
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