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ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is warning tax payers to not reply to e-mails from the HMRC (the UK tax authorities).  Irish based UK tax resident tax payers have been targeted with bogus tax refund e-mails.   The UK tax authorities will not communicate with tax payers by e-mail and will not refund tax to a credit card or directly to a bank account based on filling out an on line form, this is simple a scam. 

Aidan Clifford, ACCA’s Advisory Services Manager, said  “Coming up to the Revenue deadlines, fraudsters are sending e-mails to taxpayers saying that they are due a refund and to simply complete an online form and the money will be refunded to their credit card or bank account.  The web pages are very convincing and professional looking.  Expect any credit card or banks account details supplied to be cleaned out within hours of responding.”

Practicing members of ACCA have noted a number queries from clients who have received bogus e-mails.  Particularly at risk are people who were recently resident in the UK who received bogus e-mails asking them to complete a simple form to have a UK tax refund paid directly to their credit card. 

HMRC have said “These emails are issued indiscriminately; there has been no breach of HMRC security, and we are working with other law enforcement agencies to close down such sites and to investigate those that are behind the scam. In the meantime we do recommend the use of robust spam filters and other online protection technology.” 

For further information, please contact:

Aidan Clifford, Advisory Services Manager, ACCA Ireland - 087 2470205
Barbara Elliott, Touchstone Communications – 087 2933580

Notes to Editors
1. ACCA is the global body for professional accountants. We aim to offer business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. We have 493,500 students and members in 170 countries worldwide.  ACCA Ireland has 20,00 students and members.
2. ACCA has worked with governments, national organisations and development agencies in emerging economies- for over 20 years- promoting the accounting profession, to create value for the communities, businesses and individuals it serves.
3. ACCA believes that globalisation of business means that one set of reporting standards is essential. We favour the principles-based IFRS.
4. ACCA understands the real issues facing small businesses as 63,000 of our members work in SMEs or small partnerships worldwide.