HMRC scam

Yet another scam.

I received a genuine letter from HMRC saying my claim for repayment, some £2000 would be transfered to my bank account. First of all I had not made a claim, and second it was not going to my bank account.

Suffice to say I rang HMRC immediately. It transpires that someone had submitted a self assessment in my name and was claiming back some tax. They assured me that they knew that this was a problem and would send me a letter confirming the problem. Nothing to worry about.

I immediately phone my accountant, who normally does the self assessment form for me, and he knew what it was all about before I had chance to tell him. Apparently the Revenue have been getting a number of these bogus claims. My concern was that his system had been compromised and that someone was able to get hold of my details. Sure you can get my name and address from Companies House, but would they not need my National Insurance number? So where did they get that from?

My accountant said it was not from his system and put the blame on HMRC, mind you he did point out that these people are pretty stupid, as I traced the sort code to a Bank in London so Iam sure HMRC can trace the muppet who is trying to get the money.