HMRC scam warning: Don’t get caught out by scammers this Bank Holiday weekend | Personal Finance | Finance | #whatsapp | #lovescams | #phonescams

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed fraudsters are sending out scam text messages in a bid to steal Britons’ personal details and hard earned cash. It’s warning more than two million (2.1) million Tax Credit customers to watch out.

It continued: “We can confirm this is a scam and you should end the call immediately.

“This scam has been widely reported and often targets elderly and vulnerable people.”

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s director general for customer services, said: “We’re urging all of our customers to be really careful if they are contacted out of the blue by someone asking for money or bank details.

“There are a lot of scams out there where fraudsters are calling, texting or emailing customers claiming to be from HMRC.”

HMRC also issued three tips to help people spot a scam:

• Stop: Take a moment to think before parting with your money or information. If a phone call, text or email is unexpected, don’t give out private information or reply, and don’t download attachments or click on links before checking on GOV.UK that the contact is genuine. Do not trust caller ID on phones. Numbers can be spoofed.
• Challenge: It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests – only criminals will try to rush or panic you. Search ‘scams’ on GOV.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact and how to avoid and report scams.
• Protect: Forward suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599 and emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Report tax scam phone calls on GOV.UK. Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam and report it to Action Fraud.