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There’s a warning to be on the lookout for tax rebate scam emails after HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) revealed almost 80,000 were reported last year.
Typical scam emails promise a tax refund in exchange for personal, credit card or banking details. Anyone who responds risks opening their account to fraud and having their details sold on to organised criminal gangs.
A link in the emails will usually take users to a website, which is designed to look like the real thing but actually tricks visitors to submitting their details.
Fortunately it’s easy to spot fraudulent tax rebate email scams as HMRC only send genuine notifications about tax refunds by post and not email.
Another way of reducing your chances of being caught out by online scams is to take our free ThreatTest, which gives examples of real-life scams and tests whether or not you might be taken in by them. It’s a useful way to learn more about these potential threats in a safe environment.
The following tips will also help avoid being caught out by phishing scams:
• Never reply to phishing emails. No real financial institution will ever ask you for your credentials in an email.
• Never open emails from anyone you don’t know. Delete them and empty your deleted items.
• Check the web site address when you are buying something over the Internet - open a browser window and use a search engine to find the site. If the addresses don’t match, it's probable that the site you are about to visit is fake
• Check your bank and credit card statements carefully and report any unfamiliar transactions.
For more advice on how to spot online scams read our guide on avoiding cybercrime.
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