HMRC logs 10,000 phishing attempts in one day

Eighty-three thousand fake emails offering non-existent tax refunds were logged by HM Revenue & Customs in September, the body has announced.

And the record level of attempted scams peaked with 10,000 phishing emails reported in a single day.

HMRC warned that the fake emails tell recipients that they are due a tax refund, and ask for bank account or credit card details. Recipients who provide such information give fraudsters the opportunity to make unauthorised transactions from their accounts.

"We only contact customers who are due a refund in writing by post," said John Harrison, Head of HMRC customer contact online.

"We never use emails, telephone calls or external companies in these circumstances."

HMRC said that it was taking action to disrupt the fraudsters, and that "a number" of scam networks had been shut down. It advised tax payers to follow the advice provided by Get Safe Online, and never to follow links or open attachments contained within suspicious emails.

"I would strongly encourage anyone receiving such an email not to open it, send it to us for investigation at phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then delete it from their computer," Harrison added.