Email scammers are trying to take advantage of HMRC's processes for verification of tax agent identity by sending out phishing emails that claim to be from HMRC's Agent Service. A new email purporting to come from HMRC directs agents to click on a link back to the scammers which could easily fool people reading on a small screen. Can you spot what's wrong?
A closer inspection of the email and the links contained within it (by hovering over the links and being very careful not to click those links) reveals that:
We (here at rossmartin tax) forwarded this email to
HMRC's advice: Avoid and report internet scams and phishing is to:
Avoid websites, emails and phone numbers that imitate government services: Some websites, emails or phone numbers look like they’re part of an official government service when they’re not, or claim to help more than they actually do. Some make you pay for things that would be free or cheaper if you used the official government service.
Search on GOV.UK to find official government services and phone numbers
