4 tips to beat farm tax fraudsters

Fraudsters are targeting taxpayers into giving away their personal details by making them think they are eligable for a tax rebate.

HM Revenue and Customs has issued a fresh warning about scam emails and text messages after seeing criminals taking advantage of dates such as the end of the financial year to target the public.

After seeing a bogus message which makes someone believe they are eligible for a tax rebate, individuals are often invited to click through to a website where their information is stolen.

See also: Growing fraud risk as crooks eye farm payment cash

But HMRC says genuine tax rebate correspondence will only be communicated by post between June and October, and are urging people to remain vigilant and recognise the signs of scammers.

They advise the following:

1. Recognise the signs. Genuine organisations such as banks and HMRC will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, password or bank details.
2. Stay safe. Do not give out private information, reply to text messages, download attachments or clink on links in emails you weren’t expecting.
3. Take action. Forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and texts to 60599 or contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to report suspicious calls.
4. Check gov.uk for information on how to avoid and report scams and recognise genuine HMRC contact