Business owners have been the target of a new email phishing scam purporting to be from HMRC. The scam uses official HMRC branding and graphics to convince victims that their VAT deferral application has been rejected.
During Covid-19 HMRC allowed payments of VAT between March and June 2020 to be deferred until 31 March 2021. Cyber criminals have used the scheme to trick business owners into revealing sensitive information such as account names passwords and payment details.
Accountancy outsourcing specialists Lanop Outsourcing which uncovered the scam says the phishing email begins: ‘Dear customers your request for a deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (Covid-19) has been rejected… Summary of reject justification: the claimant is in arrears.’
The email then attempts to convince the recipient of its legitimacy by attaching a false document with ‘more details and a full report on your application’ while also sharing...
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