Action Fraud UK are warning people to be vigilant after reports of a number of new telephone scams purporting to be from HMRC.
In one, fraudsters have been leaving automated voicemail messages telling victims that they owe HMRC unpaid taxes and that a lawsuit is being filed against them. When victims call the number provided to ‘speak to the officer dealing with the case’, they’re told they will be arrested if they don’t pay.
In another, bogus callers have been posing as money laundering investigators and contacting accountants to warn them that one of their clients is being investigated. The fraudsters then contact the client pretending to be from the bank and asking for three years’ bank statements. The client then phones their accountant who may then unwittingly confirm that HMRC has contact them in relation to a money laundering investigation. The scammers then trick the client into giving them their bank account details.
On other occasions, victims are being called on a spoofed 0300 200 3300 number and told they owe unpaid taxes. In many of these scams, the fraudsters ask for payment in ITunes gift cards (these are easily redeemed and easily sold on.)
Please remember to be vigilant at all times. If you receive a call where you can’t verify the identity of the person making the call, hang up. If you think the call may be a genuine call from HMRC, call them back on the phone number listed on the HMRC website.
If you do receive a scam call, or are asked to make payment in gift cards, report it on the
Action Fraud website or by calling 0300 123 2040.