Avoid and report internet scams and phishing Genuine HMRC contact and recognising phishing emails and texts How HM Revenue and Customs keeps you safe online Online security information for agents Phishing emails and bogus contact: HM Revenue and Customs examples
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Join HMRC user panel and help improve GOV.UK content 22 August 2017
HMRC is looking for volunteers to join a user panel to help HMRC improve their online services and GOV.UK content.
To register your interest you will answer a few simple questions about yourself, which should take around five minutes.
You can take part in the research sessions in person or online, and can always say no to a user panel invitation. You can also leave the panel at any time.
The information you provide during the user panel research sessions will be used to: Improve existing services of HMRC Develop new HMRC services
The information you give will be fully confidential and stored securely under HMRC’s personal information charter .
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Avoiding falling victim to fake HMRC scams 22 August 2017
HMRC is aware that there are a myriad of different scam emails and bogus communications sent professing to be in the name of HMRC.
To help HMRC users to check whether a communication might be genuine HMRC publish and regularly update guidance of some of the work that they will be carrying out in the coming weeks and months. The latest update of guidance includes the news that from August 2017 letters inviting households to participate in the annual HMRC Customer Survey are being sent out. The letters include a link to the survey. The letters are being sent by Kantar Public, an independent research organisation undertaking the survey on behalf of HMRC and will carry HMRC’s logo. Additional letters and postcards reminding households, who have not responded, to complete the survey will also be sent out in September 2017 with the same information. Letters to businesses and tax agents requesting participation in the annual HMRC Customer Survey are also being sent out from August 2017. The letters inform customers that they may be contacted by telephone by a representative from Kantar Public an independent research organisation undertaking the survey on behalf of HMRC. Whether completed online, on paper or on the telephone, the survey will not ask the customer to provide any personal or financial information.
The guidance can be read in full at GOV.UK and also includes information to help users establish whether an email may be fraudulent.
Be aware of email addresses that may appear to be from HMRC eg ‘refunds@hmrc.org.uk’ and be aware that the ‘from’ address can be falsified to look like a legitimate HMRC address eg @hmrc.gov.uk.
Unless you are absolutely certain that the message has come from HMRC do not open it. If you do open the email and you are in doubt do not click on any links or downloads.
Emails from HMRC will never :
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
Policy News Journal
cipp.org.uk
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