Coronavirus Scams: Police release a warning as fake emails and texts about ‘tax refunds’ on the rise

Police and the HMRC advise the public to watch out as refunds, bills and good will fund messages are fake.

The police have issued warnings after a spate of scam emails and texts pretending to be from the HMRC affect the public.

The email encourages people to click the link by saying that due to coronavirus the government has decided to grant a ‘tax refund’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This is not true and people are warned that the HMRC are not sending these emails out, and should not be clicking on any links within the email.

Police and the HMRC advise the public to watch out as refunds, bills and good will fund messages are fake.Police and the HMRC advise the public to watch out as refunds, bills and good will fund messages are fake.
Police and the HMRC advise the public to watch out as refunds, bills and good will fund messages are fake.

They should send the email to [email protected] then delete.

Other scams are sent by text, either advertising a ‘Goodwill payment’ or a ‘£250 fine’ both appearing to be from the HMRC.

Again, neither of these are true and people are advised not to click any links or phone any numbers that are mentioned in the message.

The HMRC have reiterated that they will never send an email or text message regarding tax rebates or refunds.

For more information, click here.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website