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Original poster

HMRC scam call??

20 replies

Whatthefunk · 04/10/2018 11:16

Really freaked out! Just got a call, with an automated voice, saying it was British police. It said that HMRC is building a case against me, and I should call them. The number they said started in 02, whereas HMRC starts in 03. Please tell me this is a scam!!!

OP posts:

gamerchick · 04/10/2018 11:17

Yes it is. These ones are very frightening but still a scam.

gnomeisland · 04/10/2018 11:18

Of course it's a scam.
Don't reply.
The British Police, my arse.

Original poster

Whatthefunk · 04/10/2018 11:18

Thank goodness for that! Put the fear of God into me. Bastards!!!

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ShatnersBassoon · 04/10/2018 11:20

The police don't use pre-recorded messages to let you know they think you're involved in criminal activity.

AbbieLexie · 04/10/2018 11:22

Please report - there is a special helpline for these HRMC scam calls. I received one and it was very distressing. But I can't praise the police call handler enough when I telephoned to report the call.

ARandomPoster · 04/10/2018 11:24

I've had two such calls.

Recorded voice. Not actually for Ms Poster, or Mr Poster. No contact name.

Thing is HMRC have my name. They have all my details really. They have my address. All official communications come through the post usually.

So I'm confident that if they needed to contact me they would contact ME and not just whoever answered the phone. They would speak to me, not use an automated message, or would send a "private:for addressee only" letter.

And I have been a SAHM for quite some time. I don't pay tax, nor claim for anything I shouldn't. When I did pay tax I was employed, my tax forms were completed by my employer, entirely above board.

I am 100% positive the calls I received are a scam.

Original poster

Whatthefunk · 04/10/2018 11:25

@ShatnersBasson, of course after the fact, I can see that it's ridiculous, but trust me, in the moment, it was bloody scary

OP posts:

ratspeaker · 04/10/2018 11:30

Yup, its a scam.
Frightning horrible scam.
One of my relatives got one and it really rattled them.

I pointed out HMRC love a paper trail, they'd have written.
Also it seems rather than changing your tax code or wanting a cheque this lot want paid in itunes vouchers...yeh...

If you google you'll find out its quite widespread

ratspeaker · 04/10/2018 11:34

www.gov.uk/government/publications/phishing-and-bogus-emails-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples/phishing-emails-and-bogus-contact-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples

Original poster

Whatthefunk · 04/10/2018 11:38

Thanks for the info. Heart rate returning to normal now 🙄

OP posts:

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 04/10/2018 11:51

100% guarantee you it is a scam. Please please do not give any bank details.
Lots of people have been sadly taken in by it.
For one HMRC would never phone you.
They'd write detailing any over payments.
I am a bit disgusted by HMRC to be honest that they are not doing more to highight this scam.

Villainelle · 04/10/2018 11:58

I have actually been in trouble with HMRC before for being late paying inheritance tax and they don't leave voice messages like that. They do send letters saying you need to pay us this tax bill. It is a scam.

Twotabbycats · 04/10/2018 12:16

HMRC have told us on the phone that they will only communicate by letter, or if we call them. (We were begging them to email us as we are not in the U.K. and their letters were taking 2-4 weeks to get here, by which time the info was out of date. They refused.) I guess this is to leave a paper trail. So if it's not a letter it's not real. I've had text messages and emails, they are a bit scary at first.

michaeladams · 05/10/2018 07:13

Just ignore those calls. I personally never answer calls if I don't recognize the numbers. Most of those calls are coming from scammers. Sometimes I just look up the numbers on sites like whycall.me or just simply Google them. I will block those which have been reported as scams by people.

Clutterbugsmum · 05/10/2018 07:45

We don't have 'The British Police' our Police are called by either they are E.G. the MET Police or the squad they work for.

Also the HMRC are so old fashioned you can't even call a direct line or E mail.

Girlsnightin · 05/10/2018 07:54

HMRC only contact via letter and like a pp said,the police don't send recorded messages saying they a building a case!

Candymay · 05/10/2018 08:00

I have had that call too. Nonsense. Don’t worry at all.

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 05/10/2018 08:42

My mum had a customer fall victim to a HMRC scam.

His wife had a call to say he owed back tax to them, had to be paid today and she paid it.

All £22,000

Mum said there was nothing they could do.

PoisonousSmurf · 05/10/2018 08:43

HMRC never ring anyone! Ignore!

PickleSarnie · 05/10/2018 09:23

I'm not even sure that they own a phone at HMRC HQ. It's impossible to get hold of them

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