According to a recent survey, four in ten people have experienced a scam attempt in the past year. With the rise of technology and the internet, scammers have found new ways to target unsuspecting individuals.

These scams can come in various forms, such as phishing emails, fake websites, and phone calls from scammers posing as legitimate companies.

Stay vigilant and be cautious when dealing with unsolicited requests for personal or financial information. One way to do this is to never give out personal information, such as your bank account details, to anyone you don’t know or trust.

Additionally, be wary of unsolicited emails or phone calls, and always double-check the legitimacy of a company before giving them any information or money.

Tax rebate and refund scams are a common tactic used by fraudsters to trick people into disclosing their personal and payment information.

It is important to remember that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will never send notifications by email about tax rebates or refunds.

If you receive an email claiming to be from HMRC about a tax rebate or refund, do not click on any links or open any attachments. These may lead you to a fraudulent website or download a virus onto your computer. Instead, forward the email to HMRC at phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and then delete it from your inbox.

If you are in any doubt, please do feel free to give us a call on 01844 261 155.

With the right precautions and awareness, you can protect yourself from falling prey to these scams and keep your personal information safe.

Janet Rochford