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Emails direct users to fake website to harvest their personal details
With the increase in the number of Covid-19 infections, and with number of those infected expected to dramatically increase, hundreds of members of the public have reported receiving e-mails, claiming they are eligible for a tax refund due to coronavirus outbreak.
 First reported in the Financial Times yesterday (10th March), fraudulent letters are being sent on behalf of HMRC. The text of the letter says, that “as a precaution measure against COVID-19… the government established new tax refund programme”.
If you click the link provided you’re asked to submit personal data to apply for a refund.
The information requested includes name, address, mother’s maiden name, and bank card number, along with additional data. Anything you submit goes directly to scammers, who can use this data to try to access your bank account or for further phishing attacks.
HMRC regularly updates it’s anti-scamming advice and has added an example of the coronavirus-themed fishing e-mail on its website
What to do if you receive such e-mail:
- Do not click any links and do not submit any personal information.
- Report the letter to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk
- Learn more about phishing on behalf of HMRC here
Source: HMRC / FT
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