Weekly fraud update from West Mercia Police – Economic Crime Unit – 08/10/2024

This is the key time to be aware of emails, texts, or even phone calls, claiming to be from HMRC, and Scammers will maximise that opportunity to send out those texts, emails and also phone calls to catch out their victims. But whilst October and January are key dates in the HMRC Self-Assessment Calendar, fake messages purporting to come from HMRC may be around all year round, so everyone needs to be aware.

Criminals will take advantage of the Self-Assessment deadlines to panic you into sharing personal or financial details or even paying bogus “Tax Due”. So please take a moment to think before parting with any information or money. If in doubt, check with HMRC using reliable contact details provided by them.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR 
•    Scammers may text or email people to tell them they are due a Tax Rebate from HMRC; this may also include a link that asks for personal details which can be used for further scams
•    Scammers are also using phone calls to gain people’s details
•    Automated phone calls may be used to say people owe tax, and arrest warrants may be issued by HMRC unless they pay the outstanding tax
•    Fake web pages have also been used which can copy the genuine HMRC website

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Before you give out any personal details first consider:•    Were you expecting to be contacted? Check it is really HMRC contacting you

•    Are you being pressured?  If the request is for an urgent money transfer or for personal details be very wary. HMRC will never ask for payments using Gift Cards
•    Are you being threatened with arrest? HMRC will never call you and threaten arrest
•    Are you being asked for personal bank details or to transfer money?
•    Is it sounding too good to be true?  Are you really expecting a Tax Rebate?
•    Is the website or email address genuine? Always double check these details if you are unsure. Some more refined scams may use official details and logos so be aware
•    Check your personal tax account online to see if there are any genuine messages
•    If you think it is a scam, report it to HMRC as soon as possible for further investigations. You can report suspicious emails via phishing@hmrc.gov.uk

This also applies to the regular raft of other messages claiming to be from other similar Government and Non-Governmental Agencies  (NGA’s)

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours
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Take Five to Stop Fraud

STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud

ALWAYS REMEMBER:
•    Avoid disclosing security details
•    Emails, Phone Calls and Texts may not be authentic
•    Always make direct contact with any organisation by using a genuine phone number
•    Stop and Challenge any unexpected requests
•    Protect others by reporting Fraud and Scams
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If you’ve fallen for a scam,
report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number – 159 – to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks

To reply or forward please use the links below:

Please note that it is not possible to report crimes or incidents via Neighbourhood Matters. To make a report of a crime or incident, please contact West Mercia Police at www.westmercia.police.uk or dial 999 in an emergency.