Don't get stung by tax rebate scam

Fraudsters may be posing as local council officials or professionals and cold-calling customers stating that they are eligible for a general tax or council tax rebate, says officials
Identity TheftIdentity Theft
Identity Theft

Charity Action Fraud announced yesterday, Friday, July 28, there had been a spike in the number of people reporting their concerns in the last few weeks.

A spokesman for the charity said: “They’ve been reported to calling potential victims or use a range of other techniques, such as send text messages, to convince the intended victims that their tax rebate is legitimate, when in fact this may not be the case. The fraudsters will tell you how much tax you can claim back but emphasise that an advance fee payment is required in order to make the tax claim successful.”

Protect yourself from tax rebate fraud

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•Make vigorous checks if you ever get a cold call associated with a tax rebate.

•Never take up offers of tax rebates on the spot from cold calls and texts messages. Take a look at the recent tax rebate scams by HMRC – the same technique of offering an enticing-looking refund can be applied to private companies and public organisations.

•Don’t give your bank account details or sensitive information to anyone without carrying out your own research on them.

•Get independent financial advice before claiming any form of tax refund.

ActionFraud infographic - Cybercrime seriesActionFraud infographic - Cybercrime series
ActionFraud infographic - Cybercrime series
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•Check the caller’s credentials. Ask if they have a permanent business address and landline telephone number. Any mobile numbers given by fraudsters are often pay-as-you-go numbers which are virtually impossible to trace.

•Always check a company’s contact details (such as a website, address and phone number) are correct and that they registered in the UK.

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