HMRC has issued a warning to tax credits customers, who are renewing their tax credits claims, to be alert to scammers trying to steal their information.<\/p>\n
Tax credit claimants should be on their guard against fraudsters, as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC<\/abbr>) warns of the latest tactics being employed by scammers.<\/p>\n HMRC<\/abbr>\u00a0has issued a new alert, providing details of a number of new scams reported that aim to trick people into handing over money or personal information. Criminals use deadlines \u2013 like the tax credits renewal deadline on 31 July \u2013 to target their victims and the department is warning around 1.5 million tax credits customers to be alert to scams that mimic government communications to make them appear genuine.<\/p>\n Typical scam examples include:<\/p>\n Myrtle Lloyd,\u00a0HMRC<\/abbr>\u2019s Director General for Customer Services, said:<\/p>\n Tax scams come in many forms and we\u2019re urging customers to be alert to the tactics used by fraudsters and never to let yourselves be rushed. If someone contacts you saying they\u2019re from\u00a0HMRC<\/abbr>\u00a0and asks you to give personal information or urgently transfer money, be on your guard. Search \u2018HMRC<\/abbr>\u00a0scams\u2019 advice on GOV.UK to find out how to report scams and help us fight these crimes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Scam messages can be convincing, and individuals may be pressured into make rushed decisions.\u00a0HMRC<\/abbr>\u00a0will never ring anyone out of the blue making threats or asking them to transfer money.<\/p>\n According to the National Cyber Security Centre,\u00a0HMRC<\/abbr>\u00a0was the third most spoofed government body in 2022, behind the NHS and TV Licensing.\u00a0HMRC<\/abbr>\u00a0is also urging tax credits customers to be alert to misleading websites or adverts asking them to pay for government services which are free, often by charging for a connection to\u00a0HMRC<\/abbr>\u00a0helplines.<\/p>\n HMRC<\/abbr>\u00a0is currently sending out tax credits renewal packs to customers and is reminding anyone who has not received theirs to wait until after 15 June before contacting\u00a0HMRC<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n Customers can\u00a0renew their tax credits<\/a>\u00a0for free via GOV.UK or the\u00a0HMRC<\/abbr>\u00a0app<\/a>.\u00a0Help and support is available on GOV.UK<\/a>\u00a0to help renew tax credits claim.<\/p>\n HMRC<\/abbr>\u00a0has a video explaining how tax credits customers can use the\u00a0HMRC<\/abbr>\u00a0app to view, manage and update their details.<\/p>\n\n
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