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ICSM CREDIT: scam alert for the self-employed and small businesses – bogus email and link to HMRC to claim a tax refund because of Covid-19 (but there’s one tiny give-away which your eye may not notice)

Scam alert!

The scam works like this: an email arrives seemingly from the taxman or the HMRC – Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs – asking you to log in to read an important message about a tax refund due to Covid-19.

If you click on the link it takes you to what appears to be the official site – everything is there as you would expect it but for one tiny detail which your eye may not pick up. Instead of the logo saying HMRC it says HRMC.

If you then click on the link to see the message about the refund it asks for your bank details to be typed in. Of course instead of sending you a refund the scammers simply drain your bank account and disappear. You’ve been warned as it is doing the rounds – preying on businesses and the self-employed who have had a difficult year and may believe the email is genuine.

About ICSM Credit

ICSM Credit has more than four decades of experience as a credit intelligence group whose members gain inside information about firms in trouble allowing them to avoid bad debts and rogue traders. To join costs less than a tank of fuel - while at the moment there's a special free temporary membership offer during the Covid-19 crisis which gives access to free legal letters. ICSM also has an effective debt collecting service which has a global reach - ask for details from Paul.

For details about ICSM Credit call 0844 854 1850 or visit the website www.icsmcredit.com or email Ian at Ian.carrotte@icsmcredit.com on how to subscribe and to join the UK’s credit intelligence network to avoid bad debts and late payers. Follow ICSM Credit on FaceBook, Twitter and YouTube and Ian Carrotte on LinkedIn.

To keep up to date subscribe to the FREE ICSM Credit Newsletter to hear all the latest insolvency news and to see who has gone out of business click on the orange panel on the top left of the home page of the website www.icsmcredit.com or send an email to Ian.carrotte@icsmcredit.com

For details for the work of the journalist Harry Mottram visit www.harrymottram.co.uk