In the last six months of 2018, HMRC received 60,000 reports of fake tax office phone calls to landline numbers. That’s an astonishing increase of 360% on the first half of the year. So it’s worth a quick read to familiarise yourself with the criminals’ tactics and ways to protect yourself and your loved ones.
What exactly are these landline call scams?
Criminals phone landline numbers and say they are calling from HMRC. They usually demand payment for an unpaid tax debt and quickly escalate to threatening legal action. Some even say that they will send the police round to the house if they are not paid immediately. Their sole aim is to get financial and personal details, in order to steal from the victim’s bank account. They may ask for bank details, PIN number, payment by direct transfer or vouchers. Their scare tactics can be very effective, particularly on already vulnerable citizens.
HMRC’s branding, phone numbers and tone of voice are used to give legitimacy to a whole range of swindles. People take the Tax Office seriously and know that filling forms or paying tax bills late has financial penalties. Con artists use this wariness and turn it into outright fear during the course of these conversations.
It’s sometimes easy to get caught out especially if you have been recently completing your self assessment tax return online or have submitted a tax rebate claim under PAYE.
Why the sudden increase in landline hustles?
HMRC work incredibly hard to shut down all the fake communications connected to them. And they have had considerable success against fraudulent texts and emails. For example since 2016, working with other telecommunications organisations, they have reduced the number of reported fake HMRC texts by 90%.
As Mel Stride, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “We have taken major steps to crackdown on text and email phishing scams leaving fraudsters no choice but to try and con taxpayers over the phone.”
And 26 million UK landlines, according to Ofcom, is a huge potential market.
But what if it really is HMRC and I hang up on them?
Firstly, it’s important to know that HMRC will only phone you to discuss any unpaid tax if you have already received a letter containing all the details. They do not ask you for your financial or personal information, especially not your PIN number.
HMRC have always said that they would much prefer people to hang up on them and call back, rather than fall victim to one of these con artists. They will not be offended by your vigilance.
What should I do about these fake landline calls?
The first piece of advice is from Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud: “Fraudsters will call your landline claiming to be from reputable organisations such as HMRC. Contact like this is designed to convince you to hand over valuable personal details or your money. Don’t assume anyone who calls you is who they say they are. If a person calls and asks you to make a payment, log in to an online account or offers you a deal, be cautious and seek advice.”
Secondly, look out for your loved ones. If you are more cyber security aware, you are more likely to be in a position to guard against this type of criminal activity. But have a think about the other people in your life, particularly those that are completely offline. Apart from anything else, they have less access to the information they need to protect them. Have a chat to them about this story, there are so many of these evolving scams that they don’t always make it into newspapers or news bulletins. Maybe you could be the person they can get in touch with if they do receive a fake phone call? Let them know they don’t have to go through the reporting process themselves and that this doesn’t mean “bothering the police”. Age UK have free useful information about extra steps people can take, like joining the Telephone Preference Service.
Thirdly, don’t just hang up and forget about it. HMRC need as many of these fake communications reported to them as possible. Information becomes a powerful tool to shut down this type of criminal activity. Even if you have not given them any of your information and, thankfully, not lost any money, your report helps build a national picture of where these fraudsters are targeting.
If you get a suspicious phone call, note down: caller’s number, date and time of the call, short summary of your conversation (including any threats and what information they were asking you for). Report this to HMRC’s phishing team by emailing: [email protected]. Forward any fake HMRC emails to the same address, without clicking on any links or attachments first. Also, forward any dodgy texts to 60599.
If you have given information or lost any money, then use this email address [email protected] and also get in touch with Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
HMRC’s security teams work incessantly on these counterfeit communications and they have already closed 450 phone lines in the last year. But we must all play our part to protect ourselves and each other against this illegal behaviour. Be vigilant, spread the word and share any contact with HMRC. Together we can all stay safe.
