The Ulster Unionist Party’s Policing Spokesperson, North Down MLA Alan Chambers, has urged the public to be wary of a new scam, whereby a caller claims to be calling from HMRC, and tells the recipient to call a hotline number, with the warning of legal consequences if you do not reply.
Alan Chambers MLA said:
“One of my constituents has contacted me regarding a scam which he has been made aware of.
“Within the past few days he has received two phone calls from an automated voice claiming to be from ‘HM Revenue and Customs’
“In the first he was told that legal proceedings had been initiated due to tax avoidance, and in the second he was told ‘do not disregard this message, if we do not hear from you or your solicitor get ready to face the legal consequences.’
“Fortunately my constituent knew it was a scam and did not call the number, but I am concerned that other people might be taken in thinking it is genuine and respond, and perhaps end up paying tax that they don’t owe and losing thousands of pounds in the process.
“This is a timely reminder to everyone to be extremely careful online and in answering phone calls from anyone claiming to be from a bank or the Inland Revenue. If in doubt hang up immediately, and never give out personal or bank details over the phone or online to anyone whose identity you cannot verify.”