HMRC warning over tax rebate promises via email

HM Reveue and Customs (HMRC) has warned people in the West Sussex area against taking emails, promising tax rebates, seriously.

Steve Lamey, director general for benefits and credits at HMRC, said: “We only ever contact customers who are due a tax refund in writing by post.

“We don’t use telephone calls, emails or external companies in these circumstances.

“Anyone who receives an email claiming to be from HMRC should send it to [email protected] before deleting it permanently.”

The period in the run-up to the tax credits renewal deadline often sees an increase in such attacks, said a spokesman for the service.

The emails promise a rebate and, if residents click on the link, they are taken to a cloned replica of the HMRC website, and asked to provide credit or debit card details.