Contractors warned of HMRC phishing scam

Contractors have been warned to look out for an online scam in which people are offered a tax rebate once they submit their bank details.

The emails are supposedly from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), but rather than receiving a monetary credit into the accounts, the victims are often hit by a series of fraudulent debits, explained Trusteer.

Chief executive officer of the browser security and fraud prevention specialist, Mickey Boodaei, explained that the scam had proven to be twice as effective as other banking cons.

This, he claimed, is because consumers are tempted with the prospect of a rebate directly to their bank account.

Mr Boodaei added: "The 'carrot' of free cash also persuades many internet users to lower their normal credulity guard."

According to research from CPP, 77 per cent of internet users have been targeted by fraudulent schemes of this nature - known as phishing scams - the IDG news service reported.

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