🚨 **HMRC Scam Alert! Stay Safe!** 🚨
Hey everyone, just a quick heads up from HMRC: Scammers are on the move ahead of the Self Assessment deadline on January 31st! Over 4,800 scams have been reported since February alone, with fraudsters using sneaky tactics to trick people. They’re sending fake tax demands and trying to pressure folks into giving away personal info. 😱
In the past 10 months, there have been more than 135,500 reported HMRC-related scams, with nearly 25,000 fraudulent sites and phone numbers shut down. With tax return time around the corner, it’s more important than ever to stay alert. Always make sure any communications claiming to be from HMRC are legitimate by checking directly on GOV.UK.
Lucy Pike, HMRC’s chief security officer, emphasises vigilance: “If it feels off, it probably is! Don’t click on suspicious links or share your info. Report it directly to HMRC!”
Remember, HMRC will never:
– Leave threatening voicemails
– Request personal info through text or email
– Inform you of a refund or ask you to claim one via email, text, or phone
If you get a suspicious email, pop it over to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, and you can forward dodgy SMS messages to 60599. For phone calls, just search “report an HMRC scam” on GOV.UK and get all the details on how to stay protected.
Stay savvy and keep your info safe! Feel free to share this post to help keep others informed too. 💪🔒 #HMRCTips #StaySafe
(📸: PA)