People with
jobs in trading standards from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have urged internet users to be on their guard about a new phishing email scam.
The government body has commented on a series of emails distributed by hoaxers, which claim the recipient is eligible for a tax rebate.
Since the start of April, when initial credit renewals forms were sent out, over 46,000 counterfeit emails have been reported by consumers.
A cloned replica of the official HMRC website has been used by hoaxers seeking access to bank accounts, therefore people have been urged to act with extreme caution.
Joan Wood, director of HMRC online and digital, said: "We currently only ever contact customers who are due a tax refund in writing by post. We don't use telephone calls, emails or external companies in these circumstances."
Last month, the organisation revealed that 15 people were arrested on suspicion of money laundering offences worth around £200 million.
Operation Enigma, which took place across the country, saw police searches carried out in 20 properties in Rochdale, Manchester, Bradford, Southport and Nottingham.
Posted by Jim Smith
