Email or phishing and phone scams

Email and phone scams are techniques used by fraudsters to collect a user's personal information. This can be done in a number of ways, including phoning and claiming to be from Inland Revenue or phishing - sending an email that appears to come from Inland Revenue or a tax refund agency.

Email or phishing scams

Email scams will include a website link. The website link directs the user to a false webpage which is usually a very good replica of the real page. You will be asked to enter personal Inland Revenue information such as your myIR Secure Online Services account userID and password.

Clicking on the link in the email may trigger a virus download onto the user's computer. Both actions will allow the fraudsters access to the user's Inland Revenue information.

Find out more about identifying phishing emails and what to do if your receive one

Phone scams

Hoax phone calls may claim to offer a refund on the condition that people make an upfront direct payment to a bank account via Western Union. They may also ask you to go to your computer to make the transfer through a website address they will give you, while they are still talking to you.

Date published: 27 Mar 2013

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