TRADING STANDARDS WARN OF EMAIL SCAM
East Riding Of Yorkshire Council Trading Standards Service is warning people to be aware of emails that appear to be from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) informing you that you are due a tax refund.
HMRC do not send notifications of a tax rebate by email and those receiving these emails should be aware it is a scam to steal your identity and to get control of your credit card.
The emails concerned give the appearance that they are from HMRC and attempt to convince the recipient that they are genuine by saying that they are owed money as a result of tax recalculation.
People are told that all they need to do to get the money is to fill in the attached form on screen and press the “submit form” button.
Trading Standards are advising anyone who receives such an email to delete it straight away and to also make sure it is deleted from their email trash bin.
It is important not to open the attachment as it contains codes that may damage your computer.
The form which would be displayed asks for personal information which would allow your identity to be stolen . On top the email asks for credit card details, including the three digit security code and PIN number.
This information would allow the conmen full information about and access to your bank account.
Colin Briggs, trading standards services manager, said: “People are advised never to give out their personal details in unsolicited emails such as this. After all if the Inland Revenue owes you a tax rebate they already know who you are and can send you the cheque in the post.”
Councillor Jane Evison, portfolio holder for cultural services, housing and public protection, said: “Members of the public must not reply to any unsolicited email or telephone calls asking for their credit card details or bank account number. The only reason they are asking you for this is to enable them to take your money.”
If you think you have received or been victim to a hoax email, please call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.
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