Hmrc Refund

[Jennykenny]

Just received a very authentic looking email from the tax office saying that I was due £200.00+ and could apply online. It had the little padlock and looked like the real thing. Even had a little bit of psychological pressure in that there was a deadline of 14th July to apply or lose it.

These *** are very convincing. Be warned.

[Old_Geezer]

Sure sounds very suspicious to me. I believe they just send you the cheque, and the calculations that led to it. No one need apply.

[Jennykenny]

My asterisked word wasn't really very sweary. Not that kind of person.

[Captain2]

Yes, total scam; HMRC don't do anything via e-mail; usual giveaway is something like '200.00 pounds sterling' - what else would they pay in?
I've had loads of these.

[Jennykenny]

Yes oldgeezer, you're correct.
I've had a couple of refunds in the past, nothing big, but yes, a cheque just turned up in the post.

[Buenchico]

>>> HMRC don't do anything via e-mail

Not entirely true. They're constantly sending me (perfectly genuine) emails about ensuring that I've correctly claimed all my business expenses, plus reminders to submit my accounts online by the specified date.

However I agree that notifications of refunds aren't sent by email (and, when one's due, there's no need to apply for it anyway as the money is automatically paid into the taxpayer's bank account).

[Captain2]

Thanks for that first bit of info Chris - they've never e-mailed me. The only time I have contact with HMRC now is on the 7th April when my envelope falls through the letterbox telling me to complete my tax return :(

[Prudie]

HMRC don't have my e-mail and I can't see they'd have anyone else's unless you've actually given it to them in some correspondence (eg the self-employed).