Chester accountants warns businesses to be on their guard against bogus HMRC emails

Jan 8 2010 Chester Chronicle

THE Chester office of national accountants, Baker Tilly, is warning local businesses about a new bogus email claiming to be from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

The email from ‘HMRC Online services - test@test.com’ is being issued, stating the recipient has one new alert message, and should log into their online account to access further information.

The email contains a link to a fraudulent website that requests the disclosure of personal account information and a password. The email is not from HMRC and if received should be forwarded to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.

Graham Garner-Jones, tax partner at the Chester office of Baker Tilly said: “Businesses need to be on their guard to scams like this. HMRC has a very useful section on its website about specific online scams, including a list of the fraudulent email addresses used.

“This should be the first port of call for any business that is suspicious.”

Details of other scams notified to HMRC can be found at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/examples.htm