Staying alert to tax-related scams

31st January 2023 is the settlement date for self-assessment tax liabilities for 2021/22 and first payments on account for 2022/ 23, and consequently, many of us will be logging into our bank accounts to pay the tax due.

Of course, criminals are well aware of this and it’s peak times for scams, phishing and many other forms of attack.

If you receive any emails, texts or calls purporting to be from HMRC be very, very careful. Do not panic as criminals can be very persuasive and aggressive. Always try to stay calm and focused. Never click on any links in an email, and if you receive a phone call, then say you will return their call, but hang up and use the official HMRC telephone number, or HMRC website, and importantly, use a different telephone to call them.

Obviously, if you have concerns, speak to your accountant, who can reassure you and confirm the true position.

To report a phishing email, forward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk