HMRC warns on email phishing scams

HMRC received 23,247 reports of phishing emails in the three months prior to the tax return deadline, up 47% on the same period a year earlier. The department shut down 178 websites connected to the scam emails last month, representing a 173% increase on the 65 that were closed in January 2013. Recipients are urged to notify HMRC if they find themselves targeted. HMRC head of digital security Gareth Lloyd said: "HMRC never contacts customers who are due a tax refund via email - we always send a letter through the post. "If you receive an email claiming to be from HMRC which offe...