Beware: Landline Phone Scams Using HMRC Name on the Rise
Landline users, watch out! Fraudsters posing as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are cold-calling households to steal cash. With HMRC cracking down on email and SMS scams, crooks are reverting to traditional phone calls to trick taxpayers.
26 Million Landlines Targeted in UK
According to Ofcom, nearly 26 million UK homes still have landlines, many of which aren’t ex-directory and vulnerable to scam calls. These fraudsters often target elderly and vulnerable people, using HMRC’s trusted brand to sound legit.
Phone Scam Reports Soar 360%
Reports of phone scams soared by 360% within six months up to January 2019, with over 60,000 complaints. Financial Secretary Mel Stride warned, “If you get a threatening call from HMRC demanding payment or jail, hang up immediately and report it.” The fraudsters may demand payment by vouchers or push legal threats to spook victims.
“If you receive a suspicious call to your landline from someone purporting to be from HMRC which threatens legal action, to put you in jail, or payment using vouchers: hang-up and report it to HMRC.” – Mel Stride, Financial Secretary
HMRC Only Calls for Known Debts
HMRC will never cold-call you asking for payments you didn’t know about. Legit calls only happen if you’ve received a letter or have contacted HMRC first, especially for self-assessment tax returns.
How to Stay Safe from Phone Scammers
- Don’t trust callers on your landline claiming to be HMRC.
- Ignore demands for voucher payments or threats of arrest.
- Never give bank or personal details over the phone.
- If in doubt, hang up and contact HMRC directly through official GOV.UK numbers.
In the past year, HMRC teamed up with phone networks and Ofcom to shut down nearly 450 scam phone lines used by fraudsters.
“Fraudsters will call your landline claiming to be from reputable organisations such as HMRC. Don’t assume anyone who calls you is who they say they are.” – Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud
Stay alert and protect your money from these ruthless scammers!
