HMRC Phone Scam

Dyfed-Powys Police has issued a warning to residents following numerous reports of a phone scam in Ceredigion and Powys over the last few days. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Officers have received reports of someone purporting to be from the Her Majesty Revenue and Customs (HMRC) asking for money. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

DC Gareth Jordan said: “It would appear that Ceredigion and Powys have been targeted with a phone scam and I am very keen to get the message out to the whole of our police force area that this is a scam as no doubt this will continue to spread throughout the area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It is probably a non-UK company carrying out these calls in an effort to phish details from the victim, and eventually get them to pay money stating that they owe taxes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The HMRC would never target people in this way and would certainly never ask for money or bank details over the phone. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Please be vigilant, do not part with any money or personal information. Remember – It is OK not to speak with cold callers – just put the phone down. If you are concerned please contact police on 101.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Fraudsters are contacting victims in three ways: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Voicemails: Fraudsters are leaving victims automated voicemails saying that they owe HMRC unpaid taxes. When victims call back on the number provided, they are told that there is a warrant out in their name and if they don’t pay, the police will arrest them.
• Spoofed calls: Fraudsters are cold calling victims using a spoofed 0300 200 3300 number and convincing them that they owe unpaid tax to HMRC.
• Text messages: Fraudsters are sending text messages that require victims to urgently call back on the number provided. When victims call back, they are told that there is a case being built against them for an outstanding debt and they must pay immediately.

Top tips on how to avoid scams: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• HMRC would never use texts to tell you about a tax rebate or penalty or ever ask for payment in this way.
• Telephone numbers and text messages can easily be spoofed. You should never trust the number you see on your telephones display.
• If you receive a suspicious cold call, end it immediately.
• Do not enter into conversation with them, provide them with any personal details or send them any money