HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued an alert to anyone who works, pays taxes or receives benefits. In a new post on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday afternoon, the government department shared a reminder about how and when people will be contacted.
The update in full reads: “We’re reminding you to be aware of scams on #SaferInternetDay. We’ll never contact you from a non HMRC GOV UK email about tax refunds or personal info.
“If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Read our advice and report anything suspicious.” A link within the post provides further information, which urges: “Do not give out private information (such as bank details or passwords), reply to text messages, download attachments or click on any links in emails if you’re not sure they’re genuine.”
People should report suspicious emails and text messages, and you can find out how to do this here. Further guidance adds: “Some websites, emails or phone numbers look like they’re part of an official government service when they’re not, or claim to help more than they actually do.
“Some make you pay for things that would be free or cheaper if you used the official government service. Search on GOV.UK to find official government services and phone numbers, for example if you want to apply to the DVLA for a driving licence.”