Don't fall for this one!
The scams are getting more elaborate!
I received an e-mail today headed "Tax Refund Number 2009HMRC827141476XZ/925"
Opening it up I was told that after the last annual calculation of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of 284.23 GBP. Your TRN (TAX REFUND NUMBER): 2 7 9 0 2 1 6 8 1 5, please fill the payment form attached in the email.
Please submit the tax refund and allow us 3-9 business days in order to process it.
Note: For security reasons, we recommend that you close your browser after you have finished accessing your refund status.
- For security reasons, we will record your ip-address and date.
- Deliberate wrong inputs are criminally pursued and indicted.
Best Regards,
Greg Stephen
Tax Credit Office Agent
Preston
PR1 0SB
Telephone: 0845 300 xxxx
Opening hours:
8.00 am to 8.00 pm, seven days a week
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However, despite the "from" box on my e-mail header saying "From: HM Revenue & Customs" the actual e-mail address was < tax-credits-office@hmrc.co.uk > and I suspect it should really have been a .gov.uk address if it was genuine!
The 0845 number connects you to an automated voice service that sounds very good. However why do the Tax people need to know my mother's maiden name, and the three digit code on the back of my credit card? If they want to refund me money it would (theoretically) come through the on-line account that they use to take money off me on a regular basis.
Don't fall for this one!
I got one of these too!! Whoever the scammers are hey did shoot themselves in the foot by requesting credit card details - swear down we should a reward for reporting these pricks!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI got the same email today. I agree this is a scam. DON'T give your details, tax office would send you a cheque by post, they wouldn't do it on-line
thank you stephen i just recieved same email, the telephone number etc does look pretty real, was for calling it but decided best to goolge first, thanxs again.
ReplyDeletethe .co.uk address is a bit of a giveaway - all government depts. have .gov.uk e-mail addresses. Also the "we will record your ip address" bit - can't say they didn't warn you!
ReplyDeleteJust recieved mine! for exactly 284.23 GBP!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your alert
yet another scam - i too received this today luckily i thought to google it and found this site - thanks all, its pityfull people trying to scam hard working folk like us that bring the net into disripute. i wish the punishment was higher!! it should be "capital "
ReplyDeleteI got the same e.mail today it looked genuine but i always check google first as so many scams about these days...Thankyou now i know just to bin it..A lot of people are going to fall for this as it looks so real
ReplyDeleteyep... I got this one too... looked up the tax credits phone number on the HMRC website & the phone number is genuine, but again, why would they need so many details... just screams identity theft etc... theres no way they would ask you for those details or do it online.
ReplyDeleteI received this one, too. Phoned tax office today, number is correct in this fake email, but, of course Tax office people they said they would not send email requests to people. They advised me to forward them this email on their phishing email address.
ReplyDeleteMy fake "refund" was 284.23 GBP.
i got one with US IRS details, and refund for the same numerical value, but in $.
ReplyDelete$284.23 to be precise.
what a scam.
received already 2 of those emails...one for 284,23 GBP 2 weeks ago and today for 344,74 GBP...i'm not from GB though, but if anyone knows where i can report that idiots, please tell...i'm sure there are authorities in GB that are specialized in online criminal activities
ReplyDeletescam emails like that can be reported here btw ;) phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
ReplyDeleteThx stephen . i had recd 3 mails regarding tax refund and was wondering how come after long time they r sending me this. i thought it was real thank god got to go thru ur posts. it was quite useful and alerted me on the emails.
ReplyDeletethx once again.bloody guys shud be put behind bars for cheating or fooling the public using govt name.