HMRC issues scam warning to tax credits claimants

Tax credit claimants should be on their guard against fraudsters says HMRC. In a new alert the department has provided details of new scams reported that aim to trick people into handing over money or personal information. Criminals use deadlines such as the tax credits renewal deadline on 31 July to target their victims.

According to the National Cyber Security Centre HMRC was the third most spoofed government body in 2022 behind the NHS and TV Licensing. HMRC is also urging tax credits claimants to be alert to misleading websites or advertisements asking them to pay for government services which are free often by charging for a connection to HMRC helplines.

The tax authority is also warning people not to share their HMRC login details with anyone else. Someone using these could steal from the account owner or make a...