Freelancers should not be taken in by emails offering tax rebates

As the self-assessment deadline draws nearer, fraudsters are sending out emails informing taxpayers that they are entitled to a tax rebate. Recipients are directed to a website that looks identical to that of HMRC's and asked to provide details of their bank account or their debit/credit card so that the refund can be processed electronically.

Over the last three months, the Revenue has helped close 185 websites that had sent out fake emails offering tax rebates.

Joan Wood, the director of Online and Digital at HMRC, explained that the Revenue never sends emails to customers offering them a tax refund. This is only ever done by post. Taxpayers who receive an email that claims to be from HMRC, should first send it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then wipe it from their email account permanently.

HMRC investigates thoroughly any phishing attacks and works alongside law enforcement agencies overseas as well as those based in the UK. Scam networks have been closed down in the UK, the US, Thailand, South Korea, Mexico, Japan and Austria.

Legitimate P800 tax rebate forms from the Revenue will include a payment order. These never ask for debit or credit card details and will only be received through the post.

Taxpayers who are unsure of whether correspondence claiming to be from HMRC is in fact genuine, should check http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/fraud-attempts.htm

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