You may have received an email which appeared to be from HM Revenue and Customs (the successor to the Inland Revenue) advising that you were due a tax refund, and requesting that you follow a link from the email to provide your bank details.

These emails do NOT come from HM Revenue and Customs, and are an attempt to obtain bank details for illegal purposes.

The email is an attempt by some unscrupulous people to obtain the bank details of businesses by deceit.  We do not know the purposes to which the bank details will be put, it is clear that the information is not being used for legitimate purposes.

HM Revenue and Customs advise employers that "HMRC is committed to maintaining high levels of security for all personal information we hold for our customers. We will NOT send unsolicited emails requesting personal information."

This scam was brought to our attention by one of our clients, who showed us the email they'd received.  The emails look genuine and include HM Revenue and Customs branding.

Many small businesses do qualify for an annual refund, or incentive payment, from HM Revenue and Customs.  The refund is paid because their tax year end returns are submitted online by either the employer or their payroll provider. 

All our Payroll Bureau clients qualify for the refund or incentive payment, and HM Revenue and Customs write to the relevant businesses confirming their eligibility to the refund, and advising them how to claim it.

For further information see:   www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/spoofs.htm

Issued by Payroll Check (Bureau) Limited – www.payrollbureau.net