{"id":888,"date":"2023-01-23T09:43:56","date_gmt":"2023-01-23T09:43:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redstareducation.co.uk\/blog\/?p=888"},"modified":"2023-01-23T11:17:11","modified_gmt":"2023-01-23T11:17:11","slug":"beware-of-hmrc-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redstareducation.co.uk\/blog\/beware-of-hmrc-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"Beware of HMRC Scams"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the self-assessment tax return deadline looming, it\u2019s vital that you\u2019re on high alert due to increased activity of scammers.<\/p>\n

Self-Assessment<\/h2>\n

If you are required to file a self-assessment tax return, you must do so before 31st<\/sup> January 2023 in order to avoid incurring any penalties for late filing.<\/p>\n

If you are unsure whether you\u2019re required to file a self-assessment, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Phone Calls<\/h2>\n

At this time of year, with the self-assessment deadline round the corner, more people are likely to fall victim to HMRC scams. Scammers are clever, and they use a variety of methods to try to catch you off guard.<\/p>\n

One way in which they may pose as HMRC is via phone calls and voicemails.<\/p>\n

A common scam is a phone call wherein an automated voice tells you that HMRC is filing a lawsuit against you and you must press 1 to speak to a caseworker. This is a scam. If you receive this call, make sure you hang up.<\/p>\n

In fact, a good rule of thumb is that if you are ever unsure about the legitimacy of a phone call, hang up and contact the official number. You can find the genuine contact details of HMRC by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Text Messages and Emails<\/h2>\n

A common trick used by scammers is to pose as HMRC via email or text and send a link for you to click on. Make sure that you don\u2019t follow these links as they may take you to a fake page where your bank details and personal information can be copied and stolen when you input it.<\/p>\n

HMRC will never ask you for any personal or financial information via text. They will also never notify you by email or text about being eligible for a tax rebate or penalty.<\/p>\n

Social Media<\/h2>\n

HMRC will never use social media to offer a tax rebate or inform you of a tax penalty. They will also never request personal or financial information from you via their social media.<\/p>\n

Many scams also occur through WhatsApp. Again, HMRC will never use WhatsApp, or other social media, to start communication with you.<\/p>\n

Reporting HMRC Scams<\/h2>\n

If you do fall victim to a scam, make sure you ring your bank immediately and then report the details of the scam to Action Fraud<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you receive any suspicious correspondence by someone claiming to be HMRC, you can report it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you receive a suspicious text message, you can alternatively forward it to 60599.<\/p>\n

Suspicious phone calls can also be reported here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With the self-assessment tax return deadline looming, it\u2019s vital that you\u2019re on high alert due to increased activity of scammers. Self-Assessment If you are required to file a self-assessment tax return, you must do so before 31st January 2023 in order to avoid incurring any penalties for late filing. If you are unsure whether you\u2019re […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[297,298,23,72,18,167,147,290,300,299,162,289,288,291,292,293,296,295,294],"class_list":["post-888","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-action-fraud","tag-criminal","tag-finance","tag-financial-advice","tag-financial-education","tag-fraud","tag-hmrc","tag-hmrc-scam","tag-personal-information","tag-phishing","tag-scam","tag-scammer","tag-scams","tag-self-assessment","tag-self-assessment-deadline","tag-self-assessment-tax-return","tag-tax-penalty","tag-tax-rebate","tag-tax-return"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBeware of HMRC Scams - 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