Warning: Scam HMRC calls

Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2020 9:07pm

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Kimmy11

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Hi all,

I just wanted to alert you to another scam. I received a call on my UK mobile phone this afternoon - it was a recorded message from a man, purportedly from HMRC, saying that I was being investigated for fraud and I should press #1 to speak to an agent. If I didn't press #1, the police would come to my home and I would be arrested. As fast as I pressed #1, it dawned on me that HMRC don't make unsolicited calls, so I hung up before anyone answered.

Then I called HMRC general helpline (from UK: 0300 200 3300 / from Spain: 00 44 135 535 9022) and when I advised them what had happened, the agent told me that they're aware of the scam, they've received a lot of calls, including some from very distressed, elderly people. She made a note of the number from which I'd received the call and said she would pass it to their fraud team.

Less than a minute after hanging up, I received another call on my mobile from a Manchester number - I don't know anyone in Manchester, so I answered it with just "Hello". I could hear the line was open, so said nothing more and after a few seconds, the line went dead. I called HMRC again and asked them to add the Manchester number to their records too.

As both agents told me, HMRC does NOT make unsolicited calls to people - they will only phone you, if you request a call back - so if you receive a similar call, just hang up, make a note of the number that called you and report it to HMRC.

Stay safe,

Kim

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Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2020 10:18pm

Kimmy11

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Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2020 10:18pm

This post that was quoted has been deleted.

Thanks Barry. Checking Action Fraud's website, it says, "Action Fraud is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime where you should report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber crime."

I avoided being a victim of these crimes, so it doesn't apply in my case, but for anyone who is, here's a link to their website:

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/contact-us

Kind regards

Kim

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Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 12:57am

Angebadge

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Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 12:57am

Kimmy11 wrote on Wed Jul 22, 2020 10:18pm:
Thanks Barry. Checking Action Fraud's website, it says, "Action Fraud is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime where you should report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber crime."
I avoided being a victim of these crimes, so it doesn't apply in my case, but for anyone who is, here's a link to their website:...

Read more...

...
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/contact-us
Kind regards
Kim

Hi Kim

23.05 in the U.K. and I’ve just received an email from HMRC informing me I’m due a rebate of £352. All I’ve got to do is click the link - shall I?

Seriously, they’re obviously chancing it in the U.K. as well 🤪🥂

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Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 8:30am

Movingon

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Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 8:30am

Clicking the link won't do anything, filling in the information asked for will.

Maybe one day people will finally come to comprehend that HMRC will NEVER EVER RANDOMLY PHONE OR SMS YOU and RARELY WILL THEY EMAIL YOU either unless it's part of a discussion you're having with them.

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Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 8:40am

Kimmy11

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Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 8:40am

Morning Ange,

I have a UK mobile number, even though I live in Spain, so I doubt they even knew they were calling overseas.

The first part of the process was fully automated - I suspect that pressing #1 is just to confirm to their 'system' that they've got through to a real person (like the "I'm not a robot" tick box we're often asked to confirm when transacting online). When I answered the call from Manchester, I initially thought the delay in response was system generated (like those annoying calls from call centres that use auto dialling), but the delay was too long and I could hear the line was open.

I've received the phishing emails before, but this is the first time I've received a call. I can imagine that this would be distressing to people less familiar with tech scams.

As well as my Torre car park experience last Thursday, I'm hoping these things don't come in 3s! 😳🤣

Best wishes,

Kim

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Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 10:14am

Kimmy11

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Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 10:14am

Hi Castleman,

Yes, I have a Gateway account in order to do my self-assessment tax returns, but these scams are a numbers game - for every one of us who smells a rat, I expect there will be at least 10 people who hand over personal information unwittingly. The best we can do is keep each other alert.

Regards,

Kim

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Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 4:48pm

Sheila64

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Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 4:48pm

Kimmy11 wrote on Wed Jul 22, 2020 9:07pm:
Hi all,
I just wanted to alert you to another scam. I received a call on my UK mobile phone this afternoon - it was a recorded message from a man, purportedly from HMRC, saying that I was being investigated for fraud and I should press #1 to speak to an agent. If I didn't press #1, the police...

Read more...

... would come to my home and I would be arrested. As fast as I pressed #1, it dawned on me that HMRC don't make unsolicited calls, so I hung up before anyone answered.
Then I called HMRC general helpline (from UK: 0300 200 3300 / from Spain: 00 44 135 535 9022) and when I advised them what had happened, the agent told me that they're aware of the scam, they've received a lot of calls, including some from very distressed, elderly people. She made a note of the number from which I'd received the call and said she would pass it to their fraud team.
Less than a minute after hanging up, I received another call on my mobile from a Manchester number - I don't know anyone in Manchester, so I answered it with just "Hello". I could hear the line was open, so said nothing more and after a few seconds, the line went dead. I called HMRC again and asked them to add the Manchester number to their records too.
As both agents told me, HMRC does NOT make unsolicited calls to people - they will only phone you, if you request a call back - so if you receive a similar call, just hang up, make a note of the number that called you and report it to HMRC.
Stay safe,
Kim