An email from HMRC, that is actually genuine, has caused confusion as it has been mistaken by some as being a scam.
The email about the new marriage allowance (signed by Ruth Owen, HMRC’s director general for personal tax) is supposed to help people claim the allowance.
It warned that taxpayers would need to have personal details confirmed, and that this may have to be done with a credit card or mortgage details.
However, because there are numerous fake emails purporting to be from HMRC, and because this email mentioned credit cards many people simply assumed that it was a scam.
Colin Willetts is quoted by This Is Money:
"The suggestion I’d need a photo ID and details of recent credit card and mortgage payments rang oddly, as my wife and I have neither — we’re both pensioners."David Lawson, from Northampton, deleted it instantly:
‘The way it looked, with a picture of wedding rings, and its language talking of credit card details and even a photo ID really made it feel like a fake or phishing email."It has been possible to register for the new allowance since February online. However, a helpline will also be launched later this year.
Tax does have to be taxing.
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We've always treated Ruth Owen's e-mails as works of fiction. And as for her 'blog' in the intranet...
ReplyDeleteI too recieved the Ruth Owen e-mail, I thought it was a Nigerian scam for my personal details, HMRC are paying third party's such as experian to 'verify' that an applicant for transfer of marriage allowance is genuine. What else will these third party's use this confidential info for?
ReplyDelete