These days we’re all at risk of tax scams, but it’s avoidable or you can at least reduce your risk by being on top of your tax returns and by filing your tax returns online. By filing your tax returns online and being organised with your tax affairs, you will know that you have done your tax filing properly, meaning when someone tries to pull off a tax scam, you’ll be more likely to know it’s fraud and you won’t be panicked.
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File UK PAYE Tax Refunds Application
File UK Self Assessment Tax Return
Avoid tax refund scams – Here are some common things to watch out for
Fraudsters pretending to be HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to scam you into making payments
Be aware that as January’s self-assessment deadline approaches that fraudsters are sending out ‘phishing emails’ offering tax refunds.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has this year re-iterated that it doesn’t send out details regarding tax rebates by email and only uses the post.
How do you get caught out in a tax scam email?
The tax scam emails are extremely sophisticated and even replicate the Revenue’s web address e.g. tax.refund@hmrc.co.uk. They encourage you to pass on your bank details and push you through to a cloned Revenue website.
The danger is that once a fraudster has your bank details you risk having money stolen from bank accounts or personal details being used for identity fraud.
If you require more information, HM Revenue & Customs has a security page that details known frauds http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/examples.htm
Avoid scams by using a tax agent who is registered with the Association of Tax Agents
To avoid tax scams always make sure you use a registered tax agent to do your filing. Our online UK tax filing service provides our customers with a trustworthy platform and a team of UK tax agents who you can call Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5pm. Your tax affairs are important and it’s best to always be prepared so you avoid tax scams.