Some scams are more sophisticated than others but there are often simple signs giving scammers away. Bad grammar and incorrect spelling are very common and also the lack of a name within the email. You will often see Dear Applicant or Customer, so although the scammers have your email address, they have a lack of personal detail which is what they will ask for if you click on any links within the mail.
A reminder that HMRC:
will never send notifications of a tax rebate by email; and will never ask you to disclose personal or payment information by email.
A genuine HMRC email won’t ask for passwords, credit card details or bank account details but an identity thief certainly will.
If you have the slightest doubt don’t open attachments, there could be viruses contained in them. Do not click on links which could take you to bogus websites with bogus webpages designed to look like the homepage of HMRC. These sites have one aim, and that is to trick you into disclosing personal/ confidential information.
Fraudsters want you to act immediately. Be wary of emails containing phrases like ‘you only have 3 days to reply’ or ‘urgent action required’.
If you are unsure or something just doesn’t feel right, take that moment and follow HMRC’s guidance .
If you think you might have disclosed personal information in response to a bogus email, act quickly and provide HMRC with details of what’s happened, what’s been disclosed and send it to security.custcon@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk .
It’s the responsibility of us all to remain vigilant, working together we will beat the scammers. HMRC security teams would like to see any scams that you come across so they can look to address the issue, so please let them know at phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk .
HMRC severe weather support 11 January 2016
A reminder that if you are experiencing difficulty meeting your tax obligations due to the recent severe weather, HMRC can help with payment options.
HMRC set up a dedicated helpline in December to enable anyone affected to get practical help and advice on a wide range of tax problems they may be facing.
To assist those affected, HMRC will:
agree installment arrangements where taxpayers are unable to pay as a result of the floods agree a practical approach when individuals and businesses have lost vital records to the floods suspend debt collection proceedings for those affected by the floods cancel penalties when the taxpayer has missed statutory deadlines.
The helpline - 0800 904 7900 - is in addition to other HMRC telephone contact numbers. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 4pm, excluding bank holidays.
Chief Executive of HMRC to step down in April 12 January 2016
Lin Homer has announced that she is to leave HMRC in April, after more than four years as Chief Executive and Permanent Secretary and a public service career spanning 36 years.
Lin Homer joined HMRC in January 2012 and led the organisation through a period of recovery and significant performance improvements, including:
CIPP Policy News Journal
25/04/2016, Page 214 of 453
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