Fake HMRC calls threatening lawsuit

If you already have the BT 1571 service you can also have BT Call Protect 1572 service. Easy to set up and aesy to block callers. It has massively reduced my unwanted calls though the reduction in calls may also be because of me answering them as a stupid old woman !

Don't panic, your call probably won't even have connected and even if it did it wouldn't cost you much. They want to engage you in conversation and get your bank details, which you haven't done, so relax...

I have just recieved a phone call exactly the same as this one. My partner and I panicked and pressed one, but then put the phone down very quickly. I have read that some people were charged huge amounts after pressing 1, Will we be charged big amounts. I am so worried and stressed now, I feel sick at thethought.

This is just a fraud call and it is better not to respond. I also received such calls for more than 5 times and when there arouse some doubt to me, I called HMRC contact number www.fixithere.net/hmrc-contact-number/ and discussed the whole matter with them. They straight way told me that they do not make such calls and whatever they have to inform, they usually send mail.

I really would not respond to any phone call where someone is threatening me with a lawsuit. All I might do is to ask them to put it in writing.

Yes thanks for the warning

I've had a reply from HMRC.
"Thank you for reporting the suspicious telephone call you received.
We are aware that some customers have received telephone calls claiming to be from HMRC requesting personal information/bank account details in order to receive a tax refund, or to demand money for an unpaid tax bill.

HMRC takes security very seriously but you need to be alert. If you can not verify the identity of the person making the call you should not disclose your personal details. You should report this to Action Fraud - the UK's national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre - using the following link www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud , or you can call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (Please note this number will be charged at your normal network rate). They open Monday to Friday, 09:00 - 18:00.

HMRC provides security advice which can be found within the following link:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/phishing-and-bogus-emails-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples

Regards,

HMRC Online Security Team"

I did, Hilda, There was only one call reported under that number when I added mine, but now there are seven - all today's date. I imagine that tomorrow they will be using a different number and keeping ahead of tracking. It is very likely a fake number anyway.

Have you used "who called me" Elegran? It's the site I go to if I get an unnerving or suspicious call or message. If I don't recognise the number I don't answer. If they are desperate to speak to me they will leave a message, then I can decide whether to call them back.

That's a Manchester dialling code.

Thank you for sharing this

The most frequent crime reported is now fraud .

Thank you for flagging this up. Honestly you have to stay alert 24/7 these days

I also reported it to [email protected] (it took me a while to find this email address to report it to, HMRC website is not the most user-friendly)