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Beware of Fake HMRC Emails Targeting Students

The UK government has attempted to streamline a number of processes in the last few years. Not least of all, they have attempted to simplify the process of paying tax and receiving refunds for overpayment. It is on the back of this streamlining the tax process that more emails are being sent out from HMRC explaining to people when they are due a refund. Unfortunately, and because this involves money, this has been ripe scammers. In the most recent flood of fake HMRC emails, the latest seems to target students.

You might think that being part of a tech-savvy generation means you won’t be a target and that you will spot all the tricks, but this is much more sophisticated.

 

Look Out for Fake Emails

In a recent press release from the HMRC, they warned about a specific scam deliberately targeting students. So far, thousands have been approached and most came in the space of just a few weeks leading up to the start of the academic year. It seems to have gone out to attempt to catch out unsuspecting students who may be due tax refunds due to overpayment on the PAYE system. Students are in a financially precarious situation, so any notice of a tax refund will be quickly accepted.

Unlike most other scams that have “scammer grammar” and suspicious email addresses, these scammers have gone to a great deal of effort. They use the graphics from genuine HMRC content and even attempt to simulate university email addresses to create an air of authenticity. These emails provide a link that the student should click and enter their bank details to claim a refund.

This is not how HMRC operates.

 

How To Tell if The Email is a Scam

First, the HMRC will never inform you of a pending refund by email. Although emails are secure, there remains the danger that somebody else might read it. If you have an account with HMRC (for example, for self-assessment purposes) emails will likely consist of a note asking you to login to your account (no link) because you have a pending secure message. There will be no details about the contents of the secure message, merely notice that you have one that you need to read.

Secondly, they will never provide a link to click through to a website. If there is a link, do not click it. Log in to your HMRC account or Gateway independently if you have one to check whether you have a genuine notice. HMRC will also never ask for your bank details and refunds go through the existing website.

If you ever receive an email claiming to be from HMRC about which you are unsure, simply send it to the relevant email address phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.