Scammers Continue To Target Contractors

It has been brought to Independent Contractor Services’ attention that there is yet another phishing email in circulation targeting thousands of people, including contractors, stating they are due a tax refund from HM Revenue and Customs.

HMRC would, once again, like to highlight that these emails are not from them and they are phishing emails. They are advising anyone that receives one to forward it to phishing@gov.gsi.uk and then delete it from your Inbox. Never ever click the links in the email or fill in the details they are asking for.

HMRC would never contact you by email to tell you that you were due a refund and would certainly never ask you to disclose personal or company details by email.

If you have already disclosed any of your personal information, for example, your HMRC User ID, password or National Insurance number, please forward a report to security.custcon@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.

One phishing email that was sent in by one of our contractors and confirmed by HMRC as a phishing email, came from securemail@hmrc.gov.uk and said the following;

After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity, we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of 988.50 GBP. Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 2-3 days in order to process it.

Click Here to submit your tax refund request

Note : A refund can be delayed a variety of reasons, for example submitting invalid records or applying after deadline.

Best Regards

HM Revenue & Customs

We urge all contractors to be vigilant and if they do receive one to be proactive by forwarding it to HMRC and then deleting it.