Guest 1694- Registered: 24 Feb 2016
- Posts: 1,087
#1
This time of year there is another type of scam email doing the rounds; purporting to be from the HMRC it indicates that the receiver is due a tax rebate and invites them to download fill in and return to the sender. The scam is then twofold - there is a trojan embedded in the attachment and this installs itself on your computer if you click on it, sending key stroke details to the scammer and then, if you fill in the form and send it back you are giving the scammer all the details that they need to steal your identity.
If anyone gets any of these emails, do not click the attachment. HMRC do not notify of tax rebates in this way, such emails are always scams.
If you reckon that you are due a tax refund or rebate, then contact HMRC direct yourself on one of the numbers given on the HMRC website..
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#2
Correct Neil.
Never open, reply to or click on links in emails purporting to be from HMRC, your bank, Paypay etc regardless of what is claimed in the message. If you have doubts always contact the sender in another way to check things out, not on a link, email or phone number in the email. Many of these scams are getting more and more sophisticated and clever.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#3
Thanks Neil - good advice on both counts. I believe we've had this type of scam before, but always good to be reminded of the dangers.
Roger
Guest 977- Registered: 27 Jun 2013
- Posts: 1,031
#4
Likewise with phone calls - my bank phoned me recently about my credit card and asked for my security details so they could check it was me they were talking to. I declined to give them but rung back on the number on my credit card (not the number that called, that's another way they can scam!) and they didn't mind at all, complimented me on being security conscious.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#5
they do try, i had a surprise tax rebate a while back - cheque attached to covering letter.
i don't open any attachments from people that i don't know personally.
Bob Whysman
- Registered: 23 Aug 2013
- Posts: 1,948
#6
Have just received a scam email from 'Santander'. It bears their logo and looks very convincing but it gives you a link to go online to view a new e document ref your account...... It does not carry the usual security ID but looks genuine in every other respect.
It also gives you an email address for you to add to your contact list, again DON'T!
Obviously if you use their online banking go via the normal secure address site.
Do nothing and nothing happens.
PatrickS
- Location: Marine Parade, Dover
- Registered: 19 Sep 2015
- Posts: 448
#7
Just received a scam email allegedly from 'BT' in the form of ' Your Latest BT bill is Online For You To View!"
Telltale signs of this scam email :
+ starts off "Hello BT Broadband Customers"
+ the account number (top right) is wrong. Put your mouse cursor over the account number quoted and hold it there (
BUT DON'T CLICK ON IT). You will see an unfamiliar web address that appears bottom left of your screen - mine started "gatsbyfashion......"
+ quotes "Your Latest Bill is Ready" (I'm not due one - so check your own)
+ a proper BT ebilling email does NOT have anything after "ebilling@bt.com". This one had "a****jc1*4@btinternet.com" after it (I've starred out the full quoted email address)"
+ If you put your mouse cursor over the pink "Log In To See Your Bill" and hold it there (
BUT DON'T CLICK ON IT) you will see an unfamiliar web address that appears bottom left of your screen - mine started "tiny.cc/......"
+ at the bottom of the email it says "
To make sure our emails get to your inbox, add no-reply@bt.com to your address book." whereas:
legitimate BT emails will say
"Make sure BT emails don't get treated as spam by adding ebilling@bt.com to your address book.
Don't click on any links
Do report/forward suspect BT emails to
phishing@bt.comAndy B
- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,829
#8
After advertising my car on a popular selling website i now regularly get a text message which says that my paypal account has been suspended and to restore click on the link.They cannot even get the spelling right as it sometimes reads as poypal.
Weird Granny Slater
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 7 Jun 2017
- Posts: 3,095
#9
Had a very nice email yesterday from the acting Deputy Director of the FBI informing me (as the 'Beneficiary') that his organisation had intercepted a diplomat who was en route to me to deliver a $4.1 million debt payment from a foreign country. Apparently, if I'm unable to give them some more details sharpish, I'll be charged with currency violations. Obviously a scam: I'm only owed $1 million.
'Pass the cow dung, my dropsy's killing me' - Heraclitus
Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,397
#10
"The world is still a weird place, despite my efforts to make clear and perfect sense of it".
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#11
Without wanting to sound cynical I don't think I will take up this generous offer.
"I am writing this mail to you with heavy tears In my eyes and great sorrow in my heart, My Name is Mrs.vivan.Benoit Brown, and I am contacting you from my country Tunisia I want to tell you this because I don't have any other option than to tell you as I was touched to open up to you, I married to Mr.Willam Brown who worked with Tunisia Embassy in Burkina Faso for nine years before he died in the year 2005.We were married for eleven years without a child.
He died after a brief illness that lasted for only five days. Since his death I decided not to remarry, When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of US$ 15.5m (Fifteen Million Five hundred Thousand Dollars) in a bank in Ouagadougou the capital city of Burkina Faso in west Africa Presently this money is still in bank. He made this money available for exportation of Gold from Burkina Faso mining.
Recently, My Doctor told me that I would not last for the period of seven months due to cancer problem. The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness .Having known my condition I decided to hand you over this money to take care of the less-privileged people, you will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here.
I want you to take 40 Percent of the total money for your personal use While 60% of the money will go to charity" people in the street and helping the orphanage. I grew up as an Orphan and I don't have any body as my family member, just to endeavor that the house of God is maintained. Am doing this so that God will forgive my sins and accept my soul because these sicknesses have suffered me so much.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the bank in Burkina Faso and I will also instruct the Bank Manger to issue you an authority letter that will prove you the present beneficiary of the money in the bank that is if you assure me that you will act
accordingly as I Stated herein."
John Buckley
- Registered: 6 Oct 2013
- Posts: 615
#12
You lucky bugger Howard, what’s not to like?
When we all see that your future posts originate from the Caymans then we will know that you have done the right thing and given that lovely lady ( or Russian? ) your bank details.
Opportunity only knocks once, don’t let it pass!
howard mcsweeney1 likes this
Guest 713- Registered: 19 Mar 2011
- Posts: 342
#13
I had an e-mail saying the my gas bill was due there were no details on it no customer number It tells to click on the blue button at the bottom of the page & pay the bill by card. the bill was four times higher than it is normally,after I contact British gas I was told that it was a scam,please delete it.
I always have a paper bill,I thought it was a scam.
Please beware
Reginald Barrington
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,261
#14
Always presume they are scams any legitimate business will email again and follow up with a letter before they can take legal action, so ignoring an email or two would not be a problem.
Arte et Marte
Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,397
#15
One. In. Ten. FFS. One. In. Ten.
https://www.moneywise.co.uk/news/2020-05-26/one-10-fall-victim-coronavirus-fraud
NCSC playing Whack-a-mole.
You don't realise the half of it.
"The world is still a weird place, despite my efforts to make clear and perfect sense of it".
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
#16
The stupid is obviously strong amongst the great unwashed
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Weird Granny Slater- Location: Dover
- Registered: 7 Jun 2017
- Posts: 3,095
#17
I'm surprised it's that low; the rise in the gullibility quotient has been obvious over the last couple of months.
'Pass the cow dung, my dropsy's killing me' - Heraclitus
Guest 3940- Registered: 8 Dec 2020
- Posts: 7
#18
Never reply and click on any links provided in the fake email.
Bob Whysman likes this
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#19
I had a different scam one this morning supposedly from DPD UK Delivery, it is quite convincing so be careful especially as so many of us now buy on line.
"Hi (my email address followed)
We just wanted to let you know that we tried to deliver your parcel today but you weren't in or there was no safe place to leave it.
Your action is required. If this item is unclaimed by the return date, then it will be returned to sender.
The first and second delivery attempt was free of charge To schedule a new delivery, a shipping fee must be paid.
Get a new delivery date today >>
DPD News Designed for journalists, this news section provides a list of our recent press releases, useful information, news stories and company profile."
Bob Whysman likes this
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Andy B- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,829
#20
I,ve had this one as well as a similar one supposed to be from amazon.