I have been notified by the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) of an apparent phone scam.
Typically, the caller pretends to be from HMRC and tells the individual that they are being investigated for tax evasion and avoidance. They allege that they have had a complaint about you and acting on this you are the subject of an investigation for tax avoidance and tax evasion. Increasing their scare tactics, the fraudster adds that this will lead to prosecution through the courts. They warn that you must not ignore their message and that you must instruct your lawyer to call them on a specific number, which they give you.
If you receive a call of this nature I would strongly encourage you to report it to HMRC.
I have been made aware that the following numbers have been used to make some of these calls so if you have caller ID I would recommend that you don’t answer the call.
0203 279 9120
0203 289 8210
0203 807 4351
0203 290 7104
Phishing emails and phone scams are on the increase and becoming more and more sophisticated, it's very easy to be taken in by them.
Please report any misleading websites, emails, phone numbers, phone calls or text messages you think may be suspicious.