The new scam where fraudsters try to trick people into paying bogus tax debts using iTunes gift cards
Victims are being told they have arrest warrants, outstanding debts or unpaid taxes in their name
EXPERTS are warning of a new scam in which crooks target elderly and vulnerable people into paying bogus tax debts using iTunes gift cards.
Victims are being contacted by fraudsters claiming to be from HMRC and are being told they owe an outstanding debt.
In many cases, the fraudsters ask for payment in iTunes gift card voucher codes, according to fraud experts Action Fraud.
For years criminals have been calling people and claiming to be from HMRC, but this scam is unusual because of the method of payment the scammers look for.
Fraudsters like iTunes gift cards to collect money from victims because they can be easily redeemed and sold on.
The scammers don’t need the physical card to redeem the value and instead get victims to read out the serial code on the back over the phone.
Action Fraud said victims are being told they have arrest warrants, outstanding debts or unpaid taxes in their name in order to get them to cough up.
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One 87-year-old victim recently he was phoned by fraudsters who claimed to be from HMRC and said there was an arrest warrant out in his name.
They told him it would be cancelled if he bought £500 in iTunes gift cards at Tesco.
The man bought the cards and gave them the serial numbers, but when they asked for a further £1,300 in vouchers, he became suspicious and hung up.
Crooks use a number of different methods to scam their victims, including cold calling them, leaving voicemails saying that they owe HMRC unpaid taxes, and using text messages to urge victims into calling a number provided and handing over a load of dosh.
How to protect yourself from HMRC scams
- HMRC will never use texts to tell you about a tax rebate or penalty or ever ask for payment in this way.
- Telephone numbers and text messages can easily be spoofed. You should never trust the number you see on your telephones display.
- If you receive a suspicious cold call, end it immediately.
- If you do receive a suspicious call, text or email, .
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