Thursday, January 08, 2009
Constoppers: UK Tax Deadline Scams
This Message was sent to the Constoppers email list, a free opt-in service, sending very occasional warnings about scams that affect SMEs and charities.
To join and get warnings direct to your inbox simply email: constoppers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To report a scam, email: constoppers-owner@yahoogroups.com
The UK Tax office, HMRC, is reporting a rise in so called Phishing Scams. These scams take the form of emails or phone calls relating to the tax deadline or a rebate where the victim is asked for sensitive information which could allow the scammer to access bank accounts and steal money. Emails might also link to a fake website which could install malicious code on your computers and compromise security
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/phish-scam-0109.pdf
HMRC states that it only ever contacts businesses by letter and would never request such information by phone or email.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/spoofs.htm
They are also providing up-to-date information on emails and tactics used by the fraudsters
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/fraud-attempts.htm
If you receive an email purporting to be from HMRC please forward it tophishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk or call the helpline on 0845 302 0203
It is very refreshing to see a government body taking such a proactive stance against scams, hopefully this will mark a new dawn in the way government works to protect and forewarn small businesses.
Jules Woodell 08 Jan 2009
To join and get warnings direct to your inbox simply email: constoppers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To report a scam, email: constoppers-owner@yahoogroups.com
The UK Tax office, HMRC, is reporting a rise in so called Phishing Scams. These scams take the form of emails or phone calls relating to the tax deadline or a rebate where the victim is asked for sensitive information which could allow the scammer to access bank accounts and steal money. Emails might also link to a fake website which could install malicious code on your computers and compromise security
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/phish-scam-0109.pdf
HMRC states that it only ever contacts businesses by letter and would never request such information by phone or email.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/spoofs.htm
They are also providing up-to-date information on emails and tactics used by the fraudsters
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/fraud-attempts.htm
If you receive an email purporting to be from HMRC please forward it tophishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk or call the helpline on 0845 302 0203
It is very refreshing to see a government body taking such a proactive stance against scams, hopefully this will mark a new dawn in the way government works to protect and forewarn small businesses.
Jules Woodell 08 Jan 2009
Labels: Constoppers, HMRC, Phishing, scam, Scams, tax
Sunday, February 24, 2008
German Tax Evaders Beware.
Over the last few weeks a rather remarkable spat has developed between Germany and the tiny state of Lichtenstein
Poorly reported in the English Language press are events culminating in the German Government paying a substantial sum to a Lichtenstein bank employee for a CD containing the personal bank details of German Citizens.
The effective bribe followed resistance by the Lichtenstein Government to German demands that they cease shielding tax evaders with secretive banking laws, the illicit purchase of the data has caused a major diplomatic upset between the 2 countries.
The Best English Language report I could find emanates from South Africa
The BBC covers it in less detail
Raids on suspected tax evaders have followed with many of Germany’s rich and famous cowering at the prospect of their supposedly secret financial details finding their way into the hands of the tax authorities. Lawyers have been hired, bringing dozens of cases against the government in an attempt to head off any further investigations
So why is StopECG interested in these events?
Well again and again we have seen money from the scam guides passing through Lichtenstein, a network of holding companies run by fix it men in the principality appears to assist with the establishment of scam outfits and satellite companies whose activities are far from clear.
More importantly most of the people behind the scam guides (both the international operations and a plethora of smaller guides that target Germany itself) are German nationals; it is some of their personal banking details that may now be coming up on computer screens inside the tax authority’s offices.
It could well be that like Al Capone in the past, some German scam operators now have more to fear from the taxman than the police.
Poorly reported in the English Language press are events culminating in the German Government paying a substantial sum to a Lichtenstein bank employee for a CD containing the personal bank details of German Citizens.
The effective bribe followed resistance by the Lichtenstein Government to German demands that they cease shielding tax evaders with secretive banking laws, the illicit purchase of the data has caused a major diplomatic upset between the 2 countries.
The Best English Language report I could find emanates from South Africa
The BBC covers it in less detail
Raids on suspected tax evaders have followed with many of Germany’s rich and famous cowering at the prospect of their supposedly secret financial details finding their way into the hands of the tax authorities. Lawyers have been hired, bringing dozens of cases against the government in an attempt to head off any further investigations
So why is StopECG interested in these events?
Well again and again we have seen money from the scam guides passing through Lichtenstein, a network of holding companies run by fix it men in the principality appears to assist with the establishment of scam outfits and satellite companies whose activities are far from clear.
More importantly most of the people behind the scam guides (both the international operations and a plethora of smaller guides that target Germany itself) are German nationals; it is some of their personal banking details that may now be coming up on computer screens inside the tax authority’s offices.
It could well be that like Al Capone in the past, some German scam operators now have more to fear from the taxman than the police.
Labels: Germany, Lichtenstein, scam, tax, tax evasion
