Taxpayers warned over email scam

ACCA Ireland (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is warning taxpayers not to reply to emails from the HMRC (the British tax authorities) after Irish-based British taxpayers were targeted with bogus tax refund emails.

Aidan Clifford, ACCA’s advisory services manager, said: “Coming up to the Revenue deadlines, fraudsters are sending emails to taxpayers saying that they are due a refund and to simply complete an online form and the money will be refunded to their credit card or bank account.

“The web pages are very convincing and professional looking. Expect any credit card or bank account details supplied to be cleaned out within hours of responding.”