It is that time of year again: Black Friday. Deals are everywhere, but so are scams. With increased reliance on technology, more people are becoming victims of fraud — including tax-related scams.
Here are three tips that can help during the Black Friday period
- Beware of emails, texts and WhatsApp messages claiming to be HMRC. HMRC will not contact you this way to request personal or banking details. Use official HMRC contact details from GOV.UK if you need to check anything.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Be cautious of offers to complete tax returns or financial services for free or unrealistically low fees. Cheap can become expensive if it goes wrong.
- Do your due diligence before selecting a bookkeeper or accountant. Check qualifications, experience, and online reviews. Many fraudsters operate without any professional credentials.
Happy shopping — and stay vigilant.
