Trading Standards alerts

HMRC scam: warning from police

Dorset Police has been made aware of emails, text messages and telephone calls being received from people purporting to be from the HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs).

These bogus callers encourage you to provide bank account or personal information in exchange for ‘tax advice’ or a bogus refund.

On some occasions they have informed the caller that HMRC is filing a lawsuit against them and that they must make immediate payment or police will be sent to their home. This is a scam. It has been widely reported and seems to be targeting elderly and vulnerable people.

Please do not offer these people any personal details. If you have received an email, text message or telephone call that you believe to be fake, please contact Action Fraud to report it on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk.

For regular updates about the latest phone and online scams affecting residents of Dorset please go to dorset.police.uk/fraud.

Find out how to tell the HMRC about potential scams.

YouTube videos to raise scam awareness

• Think Jessica
  
• clairvoyant scammers
  
• copycat websites – a cautionary tale 
  

Beware of bogus charity collections

If you have any doubts about a leaflet or collecting bag asking for a donation you can contact:

• the Charity Commission on 08453 000 218 to check whether the collection is for or on behalf of a registered charity
  
• Environmental Services (telephone 01202 261700) to see if the collection has been licensed
  

You can always donate directly to your local charity shop.