Animeleague

“This was not a cyber-attack – it involved criminals using personal information from phishing activity or data obtained elsewhere to try to claim money from HMRC.

So, cyber criminals are using personal data obtained from individuals to create fake PAYE accounts, and claim Tax Refunds. So far, HMRC has identified about 100,000 people who have fallen for these phishing campaigns, and have had their Tax Accounts frozen as a result.

Investigations last year have led to arrests being made in the UK and abroad.

HMRC stresses that NO individuals have lost money.

Comment - I pains me to say that it is often the older, more vulnerable members of society that are falling victim to these attacks. Please check up on older family members, and remind them NOT to reveal ANY personal info to strangers on the phone or internet. Also, don't be complacent. It is surprising what criminals can do with even a little bit of information.

Problem is, almost nowt's safe these days.

Even trusted world famous shopping sites such as Amazon can and have, been hacked and customer's details pinched.

Every few weeks I get emails from Google saying my info's been sold on the "Dark Web", but my Internet security expert Brother says not to worry about it.