If you have decided to look for part-time work during your studies, being new to HMRC and unfamiliar with genuine contact from the department could make you vulnerable to scams.

Nearly half of all tax scams offer fake tax refunds, which HMRC does not offer by SMS or email. The criminals involved are usually trying to steal money or personal information to sell on to others. HMRC is a familiar brand, which scammers abuse to add credibility to their scams.

Links or files in emails or texts are used to download dangerous software onto your computer or phone to gather personal data or lock your machine until a ransom is paid - be careful what you open.

HMRC’s advice is:

Stop

• Take a moment to think before parting with your money or information
• Don’t give out private information or reply to text messages, and don’t download attachments or click on links in texts or emails you weren’t expecting
• Do not trust caller ID on phones. Numbers can be spoofed.

Challenge

• It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests – only criminals will try to rush or panic you
• Search ‘scams’ on GOV.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact and how to avoid and report scams.

Protect

• Forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599. Report scam phone calls on GOV.UK
• Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, and report it to Action Fraud (in Scotland, contact the police on 101).

Below are some examples of tax rebate scam emails.