Answer - when it is a scam

HM Revenue & Customs have issued a warning to beware of a new scam from people pretending to be calling from HMRC. Apparently the fraudsters will call you and tell you are entitled to a tax rebate. They insist, however, that they need your bank account details in order to pay it directly into your account. They then attempt to take money from the account. Victims risk having their bank accounts emptied and their personal details sold on to other organised criminal gangs. It's the latest twist in a relatively established type of scam. There have long been emails sent out along these lines, and HMRC has shut down over 180 websites that were responsible for sending out the fake tax rebate emails. However, the fraudsters have now migrated to the phone.

 HMRC says this sort of contact is always a scam. They only ever contact customers who are due a tax refund in writing by post, they never use telephone calls, emails or external companies in these circumstances.

If you are approached, either by email or phone, HMRC advises

* Check the advice published on the HMRC website to see if the email you have received is listed
* Forward suspicious emails to HMRC at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and then delete it
* Do not click on websites, links contained in suspicious emails or open attachments

If you have already responded to this sort of approach, you must get in touch with your bank immediately, as you may already be a victim. If you are in any doubt you can check with HMRC.