North East News
Small businesses have been warned that the number of recorded online fraud attempts reached a peak in July, according to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
HMRC received more than 15,000 reports of fraudulent repayment emails in the last year, in which con artists send out emails asking for financial details in order to issue a tax rebate.
“We only ever contact customers who are due a refund in writing by post. We never use emails, telephone calls or external companies in these circumstances,” said HMRC chief executive, Lesley Strathie.
Anyone who has received a suspicious email should send it onto phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then delete it from their computer.
