HMRC are warning taxpayers that more fraudulent emails are being sent to taxpayers and tempting them with tax refunds.

These emails are not from HMRC even though they reference the recent January 31 deadline for submitting self assessment returns and refer to the prospect of tax refund being due. These are not genuine HMRC messages and should be disregarded. 

The emails are a 'phishing' exercise intended to trick taxpayers into supplying confidential or personal information. 

HMRC have reaffirmed their long standing policy that they '... only ever contact customers who are due a refund in writing by post. We never use emails, telephone calls or external companies in these circumstances'.

Any of our readers who are unsure as to the authenticity of any email should avoid clicking on any links until satisfied that the email is legitimate.