HMRC scam emails

[nitram]

Best forum I could find, mods move if incorrect

There are currently several scam emails/SMS etc purporting to come from HMRC, do NOT open ANY attached zip files from ANYTHING claiming to originate from HMRC

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/examples.htm

 

[starryuk]

Hi Nitram,

Are we allowed to open the link you posted? Or is this what we mustn't open!!!!?

 

[nitram]

Open it.
It's a link to HMRC warning of scams and giving examples, this is what you get:-

 

[starryuk]

Ah. Now I understand. Thanks Nitram. I might have been tempted if it began with the words 'rebate'/'refund'

 

[cobden28]

Scam e-mails like this always begin with something along the lines of 'Dear Valued Customer', which is a sure sign of a scammer! Any genuine sender will always begin their message by addressing their message to you with your name, so anything like this that's not addressed to me by name is always deleted and never opened.

Perhaps others should follow this advice.

 

[nitram]

You mean one like >>>THIS<<< ?

 

[grove]

Best forum I could find, mods move if incorrect

There are currently several scam emails/SMS etc purporting to come from HMRC, do NOT open ANY attached zip files from ANYTHING claiming to originate from HMRC

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/examples.htm

Thank you very much for this Thread Nitram as earlier on today ( before coming onto T P ) I opened a Scam E Mail & even worse down loaded a Zip Fire Wall ! However thanks to my Fire Wall plus extra Inbox security I have been well & truly protected ! My fire wall called it a Trojan Horse Generic >>> Am bit as to what that means other than its not good & very BAD ! Just so glad have all my fire walls & its done its Job ! ( 1 & only time I have needed it ! )


Many thanks once again ( & before you tell me off I did start to think it was a bit dodgy ( after the event ) as have never passed my E mail onto HMRC ! ........ only reason I opened E mail was because am having to sort a problem out with H M R C ( but that was Via Post )


Grove x

 

[starryuk]

Their English usually lets them down doesn't it!

click here by having your tax refund sent to your bank account in due time

 

[nitram]

Your firewall/av has detected and quarantined a trojan horse, an application that takes over some of the functioning of your PC, maybe sending personal/financial details to A N Other. Try to be a bit more careful in future!!!

 

[cobden28]

....and when the scammers mention GBP as the currency. The genuine Inland Revenue would surely not refer to our currency in the same manner as would a foreigner!

 

[Austinsmum]

Further to this, I've also recently received quite a few scam emails from Banks and Parcel Companies purporting to have information regarding bank transfers or packages in an email attachment.
Do not open the attachment!

 

[nitram]

"...and when the scammers mention GBP as the currency..."

This is becoming common because of the various character encodings being used on non PC systems.

 

[nitram]

You can find out who is spreading your email address by using
http://www.spammotel.com/spammotel/faq.html

 

[Austinsmum]

You can find out who is spreading your email address by using
http://www.spammotel.com/spammotel/faq.html

Ooooh, was on to this before you can say jackrobinson. And then it said not suitable for mac's...

 

[nitram]

"...Ooooh, was on to this before you can say jackrobinson. And then it said not suitable for mac's..."

On-line mode???
No experience DYOR

 

[Austinsmum]

"...Ooooh, was on to this before you can say jackrobinson. And then it said not suitable for mac's..."

On-line mode???
No experience DYOR

No, me neither. I only have a mac because my daughter (rocket scientist from Cambridge) won't let me have any other. Every time I have a query I email her and she sorts it out. I'm such a loser!

 

[grove]

Your firewall/av has detected and quarantined a trojan horse, an application that takes over some of the functioning of your PC, maybe sending personal/financial details to A N Other. Try to be a bit more careful in future!!!

I am all ways careful Nitram ! ! about giving OUT any of my personal details ! Plus I went to a very good talk from my County Crime Prevention Police Man on every thing under the Sun ! Scam Phone Calls etc , etc , etc My view is that how ever careful you are these nasty things happen sadly ! Its like having your Home done up like Fort Knox ! If the burglars want to break in they will do ! ! ! Guess it was just a shame had not read your post before checking my E Mails ! But that 's life ! & I WON to stop the Virus spreading ! & the scammer 's LOST ! ! Plus 1 last point I have my E Mail for about 5 years approx & this is my first serious threat ! So not bad going knowing how many Scams do the rounds ! !

Grove x

 

[Saffie]

See , if I saw something called Spammotel, I'd think it was a virus in itself!
Is it safe to download?

 

[nitram]

"... I have my E Mail for about 5 years approx & this is my first serious threat..."

....that has been detected!!!

 

[nitram]

It's a motel for spam.
It allows you to issue unique email addresses, replies come to your standard address, you can find out which unique address they came from.

Also note that if you use gmail, and until gmail change it
f.blogs@gmail.com
fb.logs@gmail.com
.
.
fblog.s@gmail.com
all arrive at
fblogs@gmail.com
You can play tunes with this.