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Is this a scam or a tax procedure?

13 replies

alwayslucky · 26/02/2021 13:29

Is there anyone out there who knows the genuine procedure about the tax people? A call came from a Manchester phone number (which, when you dial it back, produces the message "the number you have dialled has not been recognised. Please check, and try again")

It was an automated phone call announcing something along the lines of "you are under investigation for tax fraud and there is a warrant for your arrest" My entire life assets would just make an accountant burst out laughing, or crying, so I assumed it must be some scam.

Although, in that case, why weren't they staying on the line to do whatever the plan was, presumably to get money? You can't do a scam by just sending a threat. I didn't hear it properly, but there might have been some option of "press one, to... ".

But later I remembered a policeman I was speaking to years ago in a traffic check. He went to check my licence and came back with an air of "gotcha", asking me about a completely different name and stating it was "very very closely linked" with mine. It was a strange, but whoever she is, I can't help whatever that person does. He told me two forenames, a surname, and the area she lives. I thought if he knows everything about her, then he knows, and can see, she isn't me. But I was certain his head was fixed on the idea I was somehow a criminal with two names, two addresses and presumably two faces. Nothing makes sense.

All I did worry about was that if someone is pretending to be me they might try to hack my bank, but nothing happened. And how could she be pretending to be me yet using a totally, three part, different name?

I simply don't know how to prove a negative, so if this woman owes some tax I can't see what to do. Unlike a proper tax fraud person, I can't afford professionals. If this is the real tax people it is terrifying.

I do hope someone can reassure me this is just a scam.

OP posts:
MathsFiend · 26/02/2021 13:30

It’s a scam

Mintjulia · 26/02/2021 13:31

It's a scam.

The tax office will write to you - email or letter, if there is an issue.

I've had a few calls like that. Just hang up.

GrumpyHoonMain · 26/02/2021 13:31

It’s a scam. If you were under investigation for tax fraud they wouldn’t call you as it’s ‘tipping off’ as per money laundering legislation. They would arrest you.

Furgggggg12 · 26/02/2021 13:31

It is 100% a scam. I work in tax. Put it out of your mind :)

FedNlanders · 26/02/2021 13:32

I had this call yesterday

triceratops12 · 26/02/2021 13:33

It's a scam! It's a convincing one but it is a scam.

PatriciaHolm · 26/02/2021 13:36

Compete scam. From the Gov website -

"You can be sure that HMRC will:

-only ever call you asking about a claim or payment on a debt that you already know about
-never leave a voicemail threatening legal action

  • never give the reason for a call on a voice message".

For reassurance, here also - it's mentioned.

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

alwayslucky · 26/02/2021 14:07

Oh. Thank goodness. Thank Mumsnet. Thank you for your replies. How wonderful.

The "they would send letters" part is a background long-term worry, because I moved repeatedly before lockdown, knowing my mail would be held safely in a post box address, but now, I cannot get it. And in the interim, my driving licence has run out and my passport expired long ago.

When at last I can travel there, although they know me personally, very well, they will need to ask me to show an updated version of one or the other, ( ironically, because of money laundering and tax rules.) And I don't see how I ever will. Increasing disability means I won't be driving, or travelling, anyway, but it's too late to simply renew. I know in U.K. you are not theoretically obliged to have a passport and/or driving licence, but it now seems essential for ordinary activities.

(Duh, the silly thing is, I'm absolutely sure that if you actually are some terrorist or money launderer or illegal immigrant, i.e. one of exactly those villains expected to be thwarted by the need for a passport, you would easily produce one, or several, or a suitcase-full, 'proving' any identity you wish! )

OP posts:
justab0utsurviving · 26/02/2021 14:37

It's a scam - literally just happened to someone I know.

Hoppinggreen · 26/02/2021 16:52

According to a post I saw on Linked in the Head of HMRC had one of these calls this week

UnderTheSea319263 · 03/03/2021 09:26

It is a scam

Lunariagal · 04/03/2021 10:32

Also, be aware number spoofing is a big thing. Just because caller display displayed a number, doesn't mean the call was made from there.

Lampzade · 23/03/2021 13:27

Be careful with emails too
I have received scam emails from Amazon, Netflix, HMRC, British Gas, DPD , Royal Mail.,,,

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