This is a busy time of year for the people at HMRC, they’re processing all those tax returns that were delivered online at the end of last month (and some that are still dribbling in late, resulting in nasty £100 fines). This flurry of activity has also seen an increase in email scams centred around tax returns.

This time it seems those dastardly scammers are emailing people (in the guise of HMRC) to let them know they are entitled to a tax rebate. A cunning scam, you’ll agree, given the general public’s love of receiving free money.

The various scams will ask people to visit a page to validate their bank details, download an attachment to request a refund via PayPal, or requesting personal details to claim monies owned to them through lottery winnings, inheritance or seized goods.

HMRC also report that there have been some SMS scams going on, asking recipients to call a number to claim their refunds.

HMRC request that if you receive an email that you believe to be “phishy”, you forward it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and delete it straight away. You also have the option of replying to the sender with a rude message.

Follow this link to view examples of these scam emails.

Read more about this issue at the HMRC Security page.