We want to make you aware of a recent increase in phishing scams and take this opportunity to remind all our clients to stay extra vigilant.
Over the past few months, we have seen a significant rise in fraudulent emails and phone calls claiming to be from HMRC. These messages can look very convincing and often use email addresses that closely resemble genuine HMRC addresses. Scam phone calls may pressure you to make an immediate payment or ask for personal or financial details.
Please remember, HMRC will not demand payment by email or ask you to make a payment over the phone in this way. They very rarely contact taxpayers by email about liabilities. If you receive a message asking for payment, do not click on any links or make a payment without first checking that the request is genuine. If you are unsure, we are always happy to help, please get in touch with the team before taking any action.
We have also noticed an increase in “false invoice” scams. These often appear in two ways:
- Emails pretending to be from one of your existing suppliers, advising that their bank details have changed.
- Fake invoices from new suppliers that look very professional and may even address the business owner by name, with the aim of slipping unnoticed into a payment run.
Before paying any invoice, it’s important to take a moment to double-check that it relates to a genuine business expense from a known supplier. If bank details appear to have changed, always verify them independently before making payment.
Key tips to help protect yourself:
- Be wary of urgency: Scammers often use threatening or time‑sensitive language to rush you into acting.
- Check the sender carefully: Ensure the email address genuinely belongs to the organisation it claims to be from.
- Avoid clicking links or attachments: If something doesn’t feel right, don’t click — it’s better to pause and check first.
If anything looks suspicious or you’d like a second opinion, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help keep you and your business safe.
