Millions of people are owed tax rebates or will face demands for underpaid taxes through the PAYE system, following HMRC errors in calculating how much they owe.
All of these people will be contacted in writing by HMRC to let them know how much they have over or underpaid, but many have already been targeted by criminals who've created authentic-looking HMRC websites to try and scam them out of money.
These are known as 'phishing' attacks, where a person receives an email pretending to be from their bank or a lottery - or in this case, HMRC - which invites them to submit personal information. The crook then uses this information to steal from them or to commit identity theft.
Ignore all e-mails relating to tax code errors
HMRC has warned that it will only be contacting taxpayers by post. That means that if you receive an email purporting to be from HMRC, it is definitely fraudulent.
You can forward these emails to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and they will be investigated. Whatever you do, don't click on any link or reply to these messages, as you could be putting yourself more at risk.
Phone calls should also be treated with suspicion. Remember, if you ever receive a call from your bank or any financial institution and you cannot be sure it is genuine, take a number and call back once you've verified that it's the real thing.
Stay safe online
As well as being wary of e-mail phishing attacks, you should also be vigilant if you do a lot of shopping online and regularly give out personal and banking details.
Most of the time buying over the internet is perfectly safe and enables people to use discount vouchers, find better deals and bargains, and compare a far wider range of products and services than they could on the high street.
Clearly the best way to shop safely online is to use reputable retailers, known brands and recommended sellers on auction sites.
However, there are a number of other things you can check for in order to be more confident about shopping online. Remember, if you have any doubts then don't make the purchases. It's also worth running an internet search on the retailer before you shop, so you can read reviews from other users.
- Only enter details on a secure site. Check for a padlock symbol in the browser window (not on the actual site, as that could be faked) and make sure the website address begins with 'https' not just 'http'. That shows it's a secure site, although it is still no guarantee that the company will behave itself.
- Check the retailer has a physical address you can complain to if things go wrong.
- Remember that, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
- Shop with a credit card. Under the Consumer Credit Act, the card provider is equally liable with the retailer, so if the goods aren't up to scratch and the seller has vanished, you have somewhere else to make a claim. This only applies to items costing between £100 and £30,000.
Protect your PC
You can be as safe as you like on the internet, but if you haven't taken the right steps to protect your computer from virus attacks, then the enemy could already be within.
There are loads of unpleasant programmes out there, variously called viruses, worms, Trojans and spyware. These can do different things, for example, some might cause your computer to open endless pop-up adverts, while others can hack into your machine and use it for criminal purposes.
Once you have a virus, your email contacts and any computers in your household network are also at risk.
So how can you stay safe?
- Install a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and keep these up-to-date. Run checks as regularly as you are advised, even if it isn't always convenient.
- Never open files attached to an email if you don't recognise and trust the sender.
- If your PC came with free anti-virus software, make sure you update it or buy a new package when your trial ends.
If thieves manage to steal your card details and hack into one of your accounts, your bank may not refund you if it believes you haven't sufficiently protected your computer.
Safe socialising online
The web isn't just about shopping, it's also a very social place, especially with the proliferation of networking sites such as Facebook.
Most of the time this is positive and fun. But there are some simple steps to follow to keep yourself safe and to minimise any risk.
- Set the right security settings. Restrict the access strangers have to your profile. For example, don't rely on the default Facebook settings to protect your details, make sure the settings reflect what you're comfortable sharing.
- Don't tell your social networks when you go on holiday or away for the weekend - opportunist thieves may seize the opportunity to pay your empty home a visit.
- Remember, if you make photographs and other content available online, it can be hard to remove it. So, unless you want that picture of you after 17 tequila slammers to remain online forever, don't publish it in the first place.
- Don't use your real name where possible. You don't need to give people your surname, or any details that would allow them to find you elsewhere. Most of the time, a nickname is fine.
Protecting children on the web
Just as you wouldn't let your child wander around a town centre on his or her own, it's also not a great idea to allow them completely unsupervised access to the internet.
Of course, that becomes harder as they become teenagers and want to protect their privacy, so it can be difficult finding the right balance.
Read our article 'How to keep your kids safe online' for some tips on safe browsing for all the family.
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