Scam call but shows up as coming from tax credits number on my phone

[starpatch]

Hi, has anyone else had this? I had two calls yesterday, both showed up on my phone as from tax credits ( I have tax credits number saved in my phone). A recorded message was played to me saying there is fraud on my tax account, it is time critical, I need to press option 2 to speak to an advisor. I hung up but rang back using the main tax credits number, they said that they don't call out from the tax credits number, ie they thought it was a scam too. It seems like potentially quite a sophisticated scam as they were somehow making it look like the call came from HRMC?

There are a number of similar scams going around 😡, I had one where they called from a genuine crown court number saying there was a warrant out for my arrest for HMRC unpaid tax, they gave a warrant number as well - but I called the court separately to check and they confirmed it was a scammer who was using their number. (I think that's easily enough done for any half way competent hacker...)

I've been getting quite a few calls from HMRC recently... All recorded calls accusing me of fraud...I hang up obviously but these calls only started when I started a new job... Curious how they get details of this!

I just got one which I've blocked. HMRC never ever contact you by phone.

Interesting I just started a new job also.

That is a genuine HMRC number. HMRC do call people. Check their official Twitter page, they confirm it.

It's just a generic outbound calling number.

If you're still in doubt, or feel like the number has been spoofed by a scammer then ask the person on the phone to write to you.

They can spoof a number so your phone puts it in that contact, they can do texts too.

@lydiastrange - I think the OP will have sorted it. This thread was started nearly a year ago.

I understand that, but this post was on the front page of a Google search and may mislead people into automatically assuming it's a scam when it's just somebody from HMRC trying to get hold of them.

I had a call from them and I answered. I spoke to a woman, who wanted me to confirm some details. I wouldn’t give her them and hung up. I called HMRC spoke to tax credits, PAYE, and self assessment (all the areas i have been involved with) and they confirmed it was a scam call. Even using a tax credits number.

Its not misleading. It is happening.

I've already explained this in my first comment about if you have any concerns that the number is being spoofed by a scammer.

I'm just confirming that HMRC do genuinely call out from that number instead of telling people the number is a scam. Because it isn't necessarily a scam.

I've already explained this in my first comment about if you have any concerns that the number is being spoofed by a scammer.

I'm just confirming that HMRC do genuinely call out from that number instead of telling people the number is a scam. Because it isn't necessarily a scam.