HMRC Tax Rebate Email Virus

We are getting an increased number of enquiries from current and past clients, along with other members of the public about tax rebate emails claiming to be from HMRC.

What you need to know…

The Tax Rebate emails are being distributed claiming to be from HMRC. The emails are bogus and can contain a virus. If infected your computer can be remotely accessed from anywhere in the world. The scam allows cyber criminals to steal your personal information and use your computer to commit cyber-crimes.

There are different versions of the email often asking for the recipient to open an attachment – which contains a Trojan virus. It’s becoming normal for an increased volume of such emails to be sent at this time of year, when many people are thinking about tax and could be due a tax refund.

Be vigilant and be aware of any emails purporting to be from HMRC.

HMRC states:

“HMRC never contacts customers who are due a tax refund via email – we always send a letter through the post.

“If you receive an email claiming to be from HMRC which offers a tax rebate, please send it to [email protected] and then delete it permanently. We can, and do, close these websites down, and do all we can to ensure taxpayers stay safe online by working with law enforcement agencies around the world to target the criminals behind these scams.”

Example fake email addresses are: