How to Identify and Report HMRC Telephone Scams

In recent years, there's been a sharp rise in HMRC telephone scams, with fraudsters impersonating HMRC. These HMRC scam calls often involve fake tax refunds or threats of legal action to trick individuals and businesses into sharing personal or financial information. It’s important to stay alert and know how to spot these scams to protect your data and finances.

Common HMRC Telephone Scams

Scammers typically employ two primary tactics:

• Fake Tax Refunds: You may receive a call claiming you're owed a tax refund, but to process it, they ask for your bank details or personal information.
• Threats of Legal Action: Scammers often leave recorded messages stating that HMRC is bringing legal action against you and demand immediate payment. They may instruct you to press "1" to speak to an “officer” or to call a specific number, such as 0123 456 7890, to resolve the issue for example.

Recent Statistics on HMRC Scams

HMRC-related phone scams have surged in recent years. According to Action Fraud, in 2023 alone, over 84,000 reports of HMRC scams were filed, resulting in losses exceeding £19 million. The most common scams involve fake tax refunds, unpaid tax claims, and legal threats.

What to Do If You Receive a Scam Call

If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from HMRC, follow these steps:

1. Do Not Provide Personal Information: HMRC will never ask for personal or financial information over the phone.
2. Hang Up Immediately: Don’t engage with the caller or follow any instructions they give.
3. Report the Call: Contact Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040 or through their website. You can also report the call directly to HMRC. For more information on verifying HMRC calls, visit this HMRC guide.

Protect Yourself from Scams

To stay safe, it’s important to recognize the signs of a scam and know how to respond:

• Verify the Caller: Always verify the identity of a caller claiming to be from HMRC. Use only official contact numbers found on the gov.uk website, (HMRC communication methods)
• Never Share Personal Information: HMRC will never request sensitive information via phone, email, or text.
• Report Suspicious Emails and Texts: If you receive a suspicious email, forward it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. For scam text messages, forward them to 60599.

HMRC Email and Text Scams

Scams are not limited to phone calls. Fraudsters also use emails and text messages to try and steal personal information. Be aware of emails claiming you’re eligible for a tax refund or demanding immediate payment. HMRC will never notify you of a tax refund by email or text.

If you receive a suspicious email or text:

• Forward the email to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
• Text HMRC at 60599 to report any scam text messages.

A real client incident: Avoiding a Scam

One of our clients, a business owner, recently received a call claiming they owed almost £5,000 in unpaid PAYE. The scammer provided a fake HMRC reference number and threatened immediate legal action unless payment was made. Recognizing the warning signs of a scam, the client knew this was suspicious, as they always pay their PAYE by direct debit to HMRC. The client hung up and promptly contacted us for advice.

We advised the client to:

1. Contact HMRC directly to report the issue and verify that no legitimate tax issues existed.
2. Report the incident to Action Fraud to help authorities track the scam.
3. Change their HMRC Gateway password as a precaution.

Additionally, we checked the client’s HMRC Gateway account on their behalf for any unusual activity or discrepancies and advised them to block the scammer’s phone number. As part of our service we regularly monitor clients gateway accounts when processing their payroll.

What to Do If You’ve Fallen Victim to a Scam

If you have inadvertently given your personal details to a scammer, take immediate action:

1. Contact Your Bank: Notify them of the scam to stop any fraudulent transactions.
2. Report the Fraud: File a report with Action Fraud and inform HMRC.
3. Change Your Passwords: Update your passwords for any affected accounts, especially those related to HMRC.
4. Monitor Your Credit Report: Regularly check your credit report for any unusual activity.

Scam Awareness Tips for Employers

Employers should be particularly vigilant about scams, as they handle sensitive information. Here are key tips to protect your business:

• Train Employees: Ensure your team knows how to identify scam calls and emails, and what steps to take if they receive one.
• Regular Audits: Perform regular audits of your financial processes and ensure that all payments are verified by more than one person.
• Use Official Channels: Always contact HMRC directly using numbers from their official website for verification before taking any action.

FAQs

How do I know if a phone call is really from HMRC?
HMRC will never ask for personal information or demand payment over the phone. To verify any call, hang up and contact HMRC using an official number from their contact page.

What should I do if I receive a scam call?
Hang up immediately and report it to Action Fraud or HMRC. Don't engage with the caller or provide any personal details.

What happens if I’ve already shared personal information with a scammer?
Contact your bank immediately to prevent unauthorized transactions. Report the scam to Action Fraud and change your passwords.

Concerned About Payroll Security or Fraud Prevention?

At Crystal HR & Payroll Ltd, we ensure compliance and protect businesses from fraud. If you have concerns about payroll security or would like a consultation, contact us today.