Students Warned By HMRC To Avoid Tax Scams
Guest post by Ian Marlow, Managing Director, HFM Tax & Accounts
If you are at University (or know someone who is) please pass on this message as students starting university this year are being warned by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that they could be targeted by a fresh wave of tax scams.
As new students start the academic year, they can be particularly vulnerable to cybercrime. With universities adopting a blended approach to online and face-to-face tuition this year, and an increase in remote working due to the pandemic, students could be especially vulnerable to the activities of fraudsters.
Freshers might also be more vulnerable to these types of scams due to their limited experience with the tax system.
HMRC has written to universities, through Universities UK, asking them to help ensure their students know how to spot a scam.
In August, HMRC received reports from the public of more than 74,800 scam emails, text messages and phone calls. Nearly 41,300 of these specifically offered bogus tax rebates.
Criminals targeted thousands of these scams at students, obtaining their personal university email addresses through unlawful means. These scams often offer fake tax refunds or help with claiming COVID-related financial support.
Phishing email messages can also provide a gateway for criminals. Students who provide personal details in response can end up inadvertently giving access to important accounts. Access to emails or online banking allows scammers the opportunity to commit fraud and steal their money.
Criminals also use phone scams to threaten taxpayers into handing over cash. Some 651,600 scams have been referred to HMRC since August last year. Of those, more than 215,660 were voice or phone scams, known as vishing.
If someone calls, emails or texts claiming to be from HMRC, saying that you can claim financial help, are due a tax refund or owe tax and asks for bank details, it might be a scam. Check GOV.UK for how to recognise genuine HMRC contact.
HFM Tax & Accounts is a UK-based provider of a range of tax and accounting services across all areas of personal tax and small business accounts and taxation.