How to Protect Yourself from Scam Calls  HMRC has issued the following guidelines on how to identify scam calls: You’ll never get an email, text message or phone call from HMRC which:

• tells you about a tax rebate or penalty
• asks for your personal or payment information.

Check HMRC’s guidance on recognising scams if you’re not sure. If you are in any doubt over the validity of a call hang up and contact HMRC independently. You can report something suspicious to HMRC’s phishing team, for example:

• a text message (forward it to 60599 – you’ll be charged at your network rate)
• an email
• details of a phone call asking for personal information or threatening a lawsuit.

If you receive a suspicious phone call, you can help HMRC’s investigations by providing:

• your phone number
• the caller’s phone number
• the time and date of the call
• a brief description of the call

You can contact the HMRC phishing team at [email protected] or you can report the case to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. You can check for further information on how to identify and report scams on the HMRC website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phishing-and-bogus-emails-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples/phishing-emails-and-bogus-contact-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples. HMRC do make genuine calls regarding outstanding tax bills and sometimes use automated messages. However, if you are contacted by HMRC the call would include your taxpayer reference. If you require any help with this or any other tax related enquiry contact one of the S4B team on 01628 623444 or email us at [email protected]   The S4B Team S4B are a team of Chartered Accountants based in Maidenhead who can help you get the most from your business, provide innovative commercial advice and strategies for profitable growth, and help you make the right decisions by forward planning and understanding your results. We also provide key accounting and tax advice.