To think this is a scam

[Letshopeitsallok]

Got a message from HMRC the other day to say I’ve paid too much tax.
Thought it could be true.
But went to claim it back and realised it’s a scam. Filled in a false name and DOB on first page to see what happens a
Look for all the personal info they ask for! Bank account and mother’s maiden name.
Nearly fell for it.
Bastards

I had a recorded message on my landline yesterday telling me HMRC were about to get me arrested because I owed them some tax. In order to avoid being marched off in chains (paraphrased a bit but not much!) I should ring the following number.

I did not ring the number. I googled it instead. Turns out it was a scam. To quote the classics, I nearly had a heart attack and died from not-surprise.

I'm glad you posted this, OP. Will stop some people being taken in. Good on you.

Well done for spotting super obvious scam. (Bad spelling, no name, terrible writing, dodgy url/email, the fact it's an email at all...) your reward is that since you were daft enough to click it you will likely now get many many more phishing emails. Congratulations!

Yep. Now they know they have a genuine email address you'll get loads more spam/phishing emails.
Just check the email address the email came from and don't do anything other than delete if not from a genuine source.

Op, there are hundreds upon hundreds of this kind of email going around and have been for years. How have you missed them?
Genuine question, as I get a scam of some kind literally every day.

Do you guys really think it will help OP or anyone else for you to harp on OP? People make mistakes, OP is trying to be open about it & help others.

The rest of this thread is not very helpful.

Harmonized (they spelt it with a Z) sales tax Ive never heard of it.

I saw the dodgy looking URL ends in dot Ru ( .Ru) doesn't that meant it's a Russian URL, the way dot UK (.UK) is united kingdom and dot ie (.ie) is ireland?

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

Op there is an email address on hmrc website where they ask you to forward to them any dodgy looking emails and text messages for them to investigate

You will never be contacted by the tax office, immigration etc solely by email, especially when it comes to something as serious as under or overpaying tax. If you were audited, you would have letters, phone calls, substantive evidence that comes with reference/case numbers and details. Absolutely a scam.

And the wording is off - HMRC would never say 'you will suffer the consequences.' They will say something like 'you are liable for xxxx' or outline what the actual 'consequences' are. Someone is a non English speaker trying to sound official.

And as a PP said, no GST in the UK, there's only VAT. can't see how you would overpay Goods & Services tax - it's tacked on to what you buy!

Yes it's def a scam I get them ones all the time but they are very convincing

HMRC send emails telling you you have a message in your online account and to log-in to view them, they don't put any personal or financial details in emails.

The dramatic language would have alerted me - "you will suffer the consequences"!

I've had several spam GDPR emails in the last few days - from companies I hold accounts with, addresses to me, asking me to log in and confirm my email and personal details due to new GDPR regulations. All phishing.

Check the sender's address or url if you are unsure (they will my random, or misspellings of the genuine company), or copy and paste some of the suspicious wording into google and you'll usually get some hits back about the scam.

Actually @alardi, although I agree there has been a bit of unnecessary snark on this thread, there's also been plenty of helpful advice. It's important to be able to know HOW to spot a scam and what the warning signs are - many of which have been covered here. This could be useful to anyone reading the thread.

Yep got one today. Get them a lot. Report and forward to the actual hmrc

Scam from Russia - always look at the sender''s email address and website. Also, check out the spelling and grammar!

There are some nasty sorts on here, stop having a go all you wonderful super savvy people who never get caught out!!!

I am a (secret) grammar/spelling pedant, and this is one type of occasion where that comes in really handy.

Most HMRC refunds are done through payroll or altering your tax code now anyway, they are very unwilling to send you a check or do anything mid year anymore. (According to DH who deals with them regularly for work.)

Well a few things that stand out a billion miles it's a scam.
For a start HMRC do not send emails.
There is no name on the Email. Did I see right it's addressed to "you". Well who's ypu. There are 7 billion+ "yous" out there.
You will suffer the consequences of not claiming money that's owed to you.
Well I've never known anyone to face consequences over not claiming something. What froooot looooop came up with that idea. . Im laughing because it's so fuckin stupid. That they honestly believe people would fall for that, again HMRC do not talk like that.
Also words are never combined and shortened eg Do not is never Dont.
However someone vulnerable could fall for it.

The sad thing is that this will frighten people who are susceptible - the elderly, someone who isn't confident about their English, the very trusting - so it is good to ask for opinions about it because it's definitely designed to fleece anyone who can fall for it

For all those saying HMRC don't send emails - they do! Usually guidance emails, but I'm sure I have also had 'you have a new message, please log-in to your account to view' kind of things.