| We have had several reports now in the Test Valley area of a telephone scam in which the caller states they are from HMRC and money is owed which has to be paid straight away.
The caller also states there is a court case raised against you and you need a solicitor as you are facing 5 years in prison. They tell you that you owe tax and if it is not paid they will seize your driving licence and freeze all your bank accounts.
A name is given of Heather Grey from HMRC however this is fraudulent and you should NEVER give any personal details out to ANYONE over the telephone.
Here is some advice from the HMRC website;
Avoid and report Internet scams and phishing
Report misleading websites, emails, phone calls or text messages you think may be suspicious.
Don’t give out private information (such as bank details or passwords), reply to text messages, download attachments or click on any links in emails if you’re not sure they’re genuine.
Misleading websites
Some websites can look like they’re part of an official government service or that they provide more help than they actually do.
This might mean you pay for services that you could get cheaper or for free if you used the official government service, eg renewing a passport.
Search on GOV.UK to find official government services - eg if you want to apply for a driving licence or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Contact Action Fraud to report misleading websites. You must include: - the website address or URL
- how you found the website
- why you thought it was an official government website
Action Fraud
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
0300 123 20 40
HMRC phishing emails, texts and tax scams
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will never use texts or emails to:
- tell you about a tax rebate or penalty
- ask for personal or payment information
Check HMRC’s guidance on recognising scams if you’re not sure.
Forward suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
Forward suspicious text messages to 60599. Text messages will be charged at your network rate.
Report a disclosure of personal details to HMRC
Contact HMRC at security.custcon@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk if you think you’ve given any personal information in reply to a suspicious email or text.
Include brief details of what you disclosed (eg name, address, HMRC User ID, password) but don’t give your personal details in the email.
*This information is available on the HMRC website https://www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing
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