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Just a quick note to warn that there’s a new variant of phishing emails going around.

It seems they’ve moved on from Banks to HM Revenue & Customs. Emails are being sent out supposedly from “HMRC Premier Services” informing you that you’re eligible for a tax rebate of £70. They direct you to a web site where you enter your National Insurance number, tax code, name and address and debit or credit card and they’ll refund it directly to your credit card account.

Call me cynical but I think I’d be hugely suspicious to come across the Revenue offering to refund to a card as I didn’t think they were ever quick to give money back but I’m sure many will fall for it.

I suspect it’s no coincidence these happen to also be the most useful details for identity fraud so you’ll not only get money taken from your account but you’ll also have a number of loans etc taken out in your name! I know these things simply because I was a victim of attempted identity theft a few years ago. Fortunately in my case it was noticed before anything was taken but it’s made me aware of how easy it is-and I’m now very careful to shred anything with a name, address etc on it.

Forewarned is forearmed…