HMRC has recently reported an increase in the amount of emails scammers trying to take advantage of the tax credits deadline.

These scammers are prompting the latest attempt to get the tax credit renewal forms in by 31 July.

The way it works: An email is sent from a HMRC email address telling you that you are due a refund before directing you to the attachment which is a duplicate of the official HMRC website. You are then prompted to fill in all your details including your debit or credit card details! The scammers then withdraw the funds and sell on all your details to other criminals.

It is apparent that around 46,000 emails have been sent out at the beginning of April! 50 scam websites have been shut down.

HMRC only contact customers who are due a tax refund by post. They do not not use telephone calls, emails or external companies in these situations.

HMRC also advise anyone who receive these emails not to open them but to forward them straight onto HMRC themselves before deleting them.