Police warning after woman stung by HMRC scam

8/3/2002
FOR news - a mobile phone text messaging scam. — 8/3/2002 FOR news - a mobile phone text messaging scam.

Police have issued a public warning after a 65-year-old woman from Levenmouth fell victim to a telephone scam.

On Tuesday, an unknown male contacted her at her home in Windygates.

He claimed to represent Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and asked that she pay an outstanding tax bill amounting to a four-figure sum of money.

She paid the sum before realising it was a scam.

Unusually, the scammer also stated that if she could not pay in cash, she could pay in iTunes vouchers.

Sergeant Craig Fyall of Levenmouth police said: “The advice is simple, if you receive a telephone call or email requesting money, do not pay.

“Government agencies and banks don’t operate like this and will not ask for payment in this manner.

“You need to check and be satisfied that any request for payment is genuine.

“If in doubt, check with your bank and whatever you do, do not pay.

He added: “There are organised scammers who will prey on the elderly and the vulnerable so be alert of this risk and hang up the phone if you are in any doubt whatsoever before reporting the incident to police or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.”