As the tax deadline approaches, fraudsters may contact you via a phone call, email or text message purporting to be from HMRC. Fraudsters are using the ruse of a tax rebate to gain personal banking information and threatening individuals with spurious penalty charges to pressure them into sending funds via a bank transfer.
It is very important that you do not share One-Time Passcodes (OTPs) over the telephone with anyone, in any circumstances. Neither the bank nor any other legitimate organisation will ever ask you to do so.
Please be suspicious of anyone who calls purporting to be from the bank and asking for OTPs, even if they claim they need this information to stop a fraud on your account. Remember that criminals rely on you being panicked or flustered and they are skilled at extracting sensitive information. Do not engage in further conversation. Hang up the call and telephone the bank immediately, preferably on a different device. Day or night, someone will be available to take your call.
Take Five
C. Hoare & Co. supports the Take Five campaign. This is a national campaign led by UK Finance, offering advice to help prevent financial fraud.
Take Five urges you to consider every request for information carefully, and offers the following advice:
- Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
- Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s OK to refuse or ignore any requests.
- Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud (www.actionfraud.police.uk).
If you think you may have been a victim of fraud, or would like to report anything suspicious, please do not hesitate to contact the bank on 0207 353 4522.
