HMRC Tax Scam Hits Brits with Fake Arrest Threats
Action Fraud warns of a nasty new phone scam targeting people across the UK. Scammers are pretending to be from HMRC, claiming there’s been a tax fraud against the victim. They say the person ignored official letters and now face a warrant for their arrest.
Scam Gets Real with Fake Police Calls and Amazon Vouchers
The fraudsters even go as far as putting victims through to a fake ‘police officer’ calling from a spoofed police station number. Then comes the kicker—they claim HMRC is working with Amazon and instruct victims to dash to the Post Office to buy £100 Amazon vouchers. Victims are told to send the voucher codes straight to the scammers.
Of course, it’s all a con. Victims end up losing hundreds of pounds handing over their voucher codes to criminals.
Police Warn: Don’t Fall for ‘Spoofing’ Trick
“These calls can be very distressing, especially for vulnerable people,” said a police fraud co-ordinator. “The scam looks terrifying—threats of arrest and calls from ‘official’ police numbers. That’s spoofing. Fraudsters use tech to fake real numbers and make the calls appear genuine.”
The advice? If you’re even a little unsure, hang up immediately. Wait 30 minutes, then call HMRC on a trusted number from a different phone to check.
“Legit HMRC staff will never object if you want to verify who they really are,” the officer added.
What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted
- Report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at actionfraud.police.uk.
- Tell HMRC by emailing [email protected], and include the date, caller’s number, and what was said.
Stay vigilant and spread the word—don’t let these fraudsters cash in on fear!
