Taxpayers warned to be aware of fraudsters
HM Revenue and Customs has recently issued a number of specific warnings in areas of the UK regarding fraudsters who are impersonating HM Revenue and Customs personnel in order to obtain private confidential information. A number of fraudsters have been attempting to obtain bank details by requesting "confirmation of identification" over the telephone and using this information to empty bank accounts.
All taxpayers in the UK should be aware that HM Revenue and Customs will never ask for details over the telephone and if you receive an unsolicited call and you're not sure they are who they say they are you should ask them for a telephone number and call them back. It seems as though the fraudsters are using the current economic turmoil to take advantage of those in desperate financial straits and looking to reclaim "tax rebates" which targets were previously unaware of.
Unfortunately, a number of UK residents have already been caught out by the fraudsters but thankfully the authorities are well aware of the situation and a number of warnings have been issued and will be issued in the future. Those who assume it will "never happen to them" are the perfect target for the scam artists!
Share this..
Related stories
Welsh MPs under pressure regarding expenses
The Daily Telegraph has today issued allegations regarding 50 Welsh MPs and their expenses. The paper claims that government whip Mark Tami and many more MPs have claimed council tax expenses even though it is alleged they have not actually paid the council tax in full. This is yet another nail in the coffin of the UK expenses system which is certain to be severely revamped in the weeks, months an...
Read MoreIs it fair for successful business people to pay more tax?
While nobody could really argue with the fact that the more income you receive the more tax you should pay, there is a growing feeling that the UK government is now starting to over penalise successful business people in order to replenish the UK coffers and balance the budget. The government has already announced plans to introduce a 50p tax band and it would appear that a number of benefits for...
Read MoreIs the reduction in VAT a waste of time and money?
Despite the fact that the UK government claims the reduction in VAT from 17.5% to 15% has injected a further 1% of gross domestic product back into the system, a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers suggests that the move has been both costly and a complete waste of time. A survey of 2000 people showed that 88% were unmoved by the VAT reduction and it never even crossed their minds when considering th...
Read MoreTax refund scam hits the UK
The organised crime division of the UK police has today issued guidance regarding a tax refund scam which has hit many people across the country. The e-mail is purported to be from a tax officer in the Preston office of HM Revenue and Customs and asks for recipients to fill in a form in order to reclaim tax. However, the form is nothing more than a cover to obtain personal banking details which wi...
Read MoreEconomists split over spending cuts
A group of 60 leading economists in the UK have written to the Financial Times today supporting the UK government's plans to delay public spending cuts until 2011. This comes hot on the heels of a rival group of economists who slated the government's plans and appeared to side with the Conservative party. So what is best for the UK economy? There is no doubt, as all parties admit, that a reduct...
Read More