Phishing scam uses UK tax season as accomplice
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
A data security firm found a new phishing scam yesterday targeting UK residents who may not have filed their tax returns yet.
Users are sent an email with a malicious link, which tells them they are due a tax refund. Once redirected to a phishing site, which uses similar graphics and wording as the real one, users are asked to provide their name, address and credit card information.
The malicious emails appear to be well timed, considering some HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) deadlines for online applications for tax returns are on January 31st. While it is unknown how many people may have been phished, it was discovered the information stolen personal information was being sent to a location in Denmark.
A spokesman for the HMRC said the department never sends out unsolicited emails and that residents should be aware of such scams, UK newspaper the Telegraph reports.
This may be the start of the innovative cyberattacks predicted by security officials toward the end of last year. In the U.S., the deadline for filing tax returns is April 15, which could possibly aid cybercriminals in their identity theft efforts as the date draws near.
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