Over the years, our scam-savvy clients have reported many suspicious letters, emails, phone calls, and other communications to us. Short and Sons Accountants understands the importance of protecting clients and ourselves from such threats. Don't fall victim to tax scams! Learn how to identify & avoid common scams like phishing emails, fake calls, & impersonation. Protect yourself with expert tips from Short & Sons Accountants.
Phishing Emails and Websites These often arrive disguised as legitimate communications from HMRC, promising refunds, threatening penalties, or requesting personal information. Even just clicking a link in an email could be fatal, make sure to look out for:
Urgency and pressure: Scammers create panic by demanding immediate action (which is why it's always good to file your tax return early, as scammers won't be able to use the panic of an approaching deadline).
Misspellings and grammatical errors: Real communication from professional bodies such as HMRC is professional and error-free.
Suspicious links or attachments: Unless the communication is directly from a trusted source that you can verify, never click on a suspicious link – they could install malware or steal data.
Requests for personal information: Similar to the above point, always make sure you can verify who you are speaking to.
Fake Phone Calls
Scammers impersonate HMRC officials, claiming you owe taxes or are eligible for a refund. They might use aggressive tactics or threats of arrest to pressure you into paying immediately. Remember:
HMRC will not call you out of the blue about tax issues: Phone calls with HMRC will be communicated beforehand.
They will never ask for immediate payment over the phone.
If unsure, hang up and contact HMRC directly through their official channels.
Impersonation of tax professionals Some scammers pose as legitimate tax preparers, offering unrealistically low fees or promising inflated refunds. Be cautious of:
Unrealistic promises: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Pressure to sign blank forms or provide excessive personal information.
Social Engineering Scams
Scammers may trick you into revealing personal information by posing as someone you know or trust, like a colleague or family member. We at Short and Sons have heard of someone getting a text from a scammer pretending to be their daughter who broke their phone and needed money to replace it. The mother discovered it was a scam when the bank details differed from her daughter's! Be wary of:
Unexpected requests for financial assistance or tax information.
Emotional manipulation or pressure tactics.
Unusual communication channels or requests for secrecy.
Stay Safe: Protect Yourself from Tax Scams
Stay informed: Regularly check the HMRC website for scam warnings and updates.
Be cautious: Don't respond to unsolicited communication claiming to be from HMRC.
Verify everything: Contact HMRC directly through their official channels if unsure.
Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
Keep software updated: Patch vulnerabilities to prevent malware attacks.
Report suspected scams: Help protect others by reporting scams to HMRC.
The following photo shows one of our clients receiving a letter within days of setting up a company. The letter is well-written and uses urgent wording, such as "as soon as possible." It also offers a discount, encouraging people to pay more quickly since they won't want to miss out on it. All the personal information is correct; some statistical information is at the bottom, and the small fee seems easy to pay.
This letter is deceptive by design, preying on the inexperience of new businesses, but as seasoned accountants, we can spot the scam immediately and protect your company and funds. First of all, there is no contact information for Company Registry. There is no personal information included that isn't publicly available. There is no need for a third party to get involved in the set-up of a new company. Even a quick Google search of "Company Registry" shows others affected by this scam and official guidance on how to report it.
Anyone contacted by someone claiming to be from HMRC in a suspicious way is advised to take their time and check the scams advice on GOV.UK.
Customers can report any suspicious activity to HMRC by forwarding suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599 and emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. They can also report any tax scam phone calls to HMRC using the online form on GOV.UK. Make sure to contact your bank immediately if you've had money stolen, and report it to Action Fraud. In Scotland, call the police on 101. Don't let tax scams bite! If you have any worries or concerns, please get in touch with us at Short & Sons.