Small businesses warned over HMRC tax scam

The ICAEW is warning businesses to be careful when providing personal financial information following an email credit card scam.

Small businesses and consumers are being targeted by emails purporting to come from HMRC, which request the user's credit card details in order to facilitate a "tax refund".

Although most of us are now familiar with daily emails which claim to be from major banks and other organisations, the ICAEW is particularly concerned that this latest scam may trick people into responding.

Head of the ICAEW Tax Faculty, Frank Haskew, said: “As people are getting ready for their summer holidays, many might think that they want to tick as many tasks off their to-do-list as possible, and might not read the email properly, making them vulnerable for falling into the hands of the fraudsters.”

“Alarm bells should ring when you are asked to submit your credit card details – this is information you should not give out to anybody. HMRC never asks for this information but fraudsters are becoming increasingly savvy and the ‘tax refund‘ document looks very convincing at first glance. However, it is a fake and I urge people to be alert and think twice before giving away any bank account or credit card information.”

If you think you may have received a fraudulent email purporting to come from HMRC, you are advised not to respond to it or click any links embedded within the email. You are advised to forward the email to HMRC at phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.