HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has warned taxpayers to be vigilant following reports that thieves are making phone calls pretending to be the taxman.

The scam email often begins with a sentence such as ‘we have reviewed your tax return and our calculations of your last years accounts show a tax refund of XXXX is due.’

The fraudsters inform taxpayers they are due a tax rebate, and ask for their bank card details over the phone. They then attempt to take money from the account using the details provided. Victims risk having their bank accounts emptied and their personal details sold on to other organised criminal gangs.

The warning comes amid a recent surge in the number of tax scam “phishing”” emails reported to HMRC. In the last three months