Listen to the scary HMRC scam where fraudsters claim there’s a warrant out for your arrest
The message warns that if you don't call back, 'then get ready to face the legal consequences'
PHONE scammers are on the rise in the UK with more households falling for their tactics - but watching a video with real voicemails from fraudsters could help you avoid it.
has got its hands on two recordings from scammers pretending to be from HM Revenue and Customers (HMRC) - and they are pretty convincing.
The fraudsters threaten potential victims with warrants for their arrest or legal action.
Watch the video below now to know what a scam voicemail sounds like.
In one recording, an automated male voice warns there's a warrant for your assets because there's a legal case to be filed in your name.
It says because you've now been notified, you have to call the HMRC on a number provided and then signs off with "Don't ignore".
In the second voice recording, a female automated voice purporting to be Sarah Wilson from HMRC tells you or your solicitor to call her back on a provided number.
The message warns that if you don't call back, "then get ready to face the legal consequences".
What are phone scams?
Fraudsters usually cold call members of the public pretending to be from a trusted organisation - such as your bank, the police or a utility provider.
The tactics can vary, but the aims are always the same - they want to get your personal or financial information, encourage you to hand over cards or cash, or trick you into transferring money into accounts they control.
Disabled man lost 14k to scammers pretending to be from his internet provider
GLEN Brandon, 31, had saved up £14,000 to buy himself a new wheelchair when scammers tricked him into giving them access to his computer.
Gren Brandon had been waiting for a call from his telecoms provider Virgin Media when the scammers called posing as staff from the internet provider.
After gaining his trust, the fraudsters told Glen that they needed to take control of his computer remotely to check the internet speed.
They said the speed was too slow so he was eligible for a refund - but that's when they got access to his accounts and could withdraw a total of £14,000.
By the time Nationwide called him because of unual activity in his account, the scammers had already drained the account leaving Glen with just £15.
Brandon is not the first person to be tricked by scammers - and he certainly won't be the last either.
In fact, every day almost £1million is lost to scammers.
In June we reported about a retired NHS worker who lost £40,000 in life savings to scammers pretending to be from NatWest.
Last month we also wrote about a gardener who was conned out of £10k in a bank transfer scam by fraudsters impersonating HMRC.
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Earlier this summer figures from the city watchdog and the pensions regulator revealed that scammers have stolen £46.7million from pension pots in the last four years.
How to avoid phone scams
Don't get caught in expensive traps by following these steps:
- Verify their identity: Ask them to give you details that only the company will know, such as contract details, payment details or bank account details. If you're still not convinced, hang up and contact the company directly from a different phone.
- Asked to share personal details? Never share your personal details with anyone you can't validate is who they say they are.
- Trust your instinct: If the deal sounds too good to be true, it's often a scam.
- Resist demands to act quickly: Anyone presenting a legitimate opportuniy will allow you time to consider your response.
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