Scammers are asking users on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter and other social media platforms to “borrow” their identities with the promise of a “risk-free” tax refund in return.
People from teenagers to pensioners have been approached by criminals seeking to use their details with the aim of committing fraud.
Popular social media sites have been targeted by the fraudsters looking to obtain Government Gateway logins and other personal details which enables them to register for Income Tax Self Assessment and submit bogus tax refund claims before pocketing the repayment.
The individual is promised a cut of the tax refund “risk-free” in return for the details.
But instead they will be left to pay back the full value of the fraudulent claim.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)has issued a warning to customers urging them to “think very carefully” if something seems too good to be true.
Anyone who thinks they have shared personal information online has been told to contact their bank immediately.
Customers should only deal with HMRC directly or through their tax advisor in relation to their Self Assessment tax refunds, the Government body said.
Simon Cubitt, head of cybercrime at HMRC, said: “People need to think extremely carefully before they involve themselves in an arrangement like this, because if something looks too good to be true, then it almost certainly is.
“Those who get involved risk becoming the victim of blackmail, threats of violence and wider abuse…
