Scammers try to trick users into handing over personal and financial information

Jun 18, 2013 16:31 GMT  ·  By

Emails purporting to come from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) inform recipients that they have an unclaimed tax refund. In reality, the notifications have nothing to do with HMRC. 

Entitled “Automated Tax Refund Notification,” the bogus messages read something like this:

“Unclaimed Tax Refund Notification

You are Receiving this Notification Because you are yet to claim your tax refund which has accrued up to 279.41 GBP. This is the last and Final notice we will be sending regarding this issue.

You are advised to respond swiftly to this mail so as to facilitate the process within 72hours of receiving the information Submitted.”

The messages also list several financial institutions that can process the refund.

According to Hoax Slayer, the emails are part of a phishing campaign that has abused the reputations of other tax agencies as well. When users click on the links contained in the emails, they’re taken to a phishing website that’s designed to harvest their personal and financial details.

Users are advised to beware of such notifications. In case you’re a victim, contact your financial institution immediately.