Credit card users: watch out for scam emails
Credit card holders are being warned to watch out for scam emails, it has been reported.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning people about an online attack known as 'phishing', which can lead to credit cards being used to their limit if they are not careful. The warning follows a peak in reports of fraud to HMRC.
Scammers send people a fraudulent email claiming that they are due for a tax refund and asking for bank or credit card details so that it can be paid out.
Once credit card details are provided to the scammer, they empty the account or use the credit cards to their limit.
HMRC warns that victims also risk having their personal details, including credit card information, sold to other organised criminal gangs.
Lesley Strathie, HMRC chief executive, said: "We 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. I would strongly encourage anyone receiving such an email to immediately send it to us for investigation and delete it from their computer."
Credit card fraud has accelerated most rapidly in countries where chip and pin technology is not in place, according to card industry association Apacs.
Written by David Jones ©
