Getting a tax refund? Don't be too sure

Messages from the taxman can often end up costing you money - but the HM Revenue and Customers (HMRC) is warning of an email that can leave you seriously out of pocket.

According to HMRC, "criminal gangs" are behind a phishing scam currently doing the rounds which promises recipients they are due a tax refund.

Incidents of the phishing email, which typically starts "Following a review of your fiscal activity you are due a refund of tax of £XXX", have reached the thousands this month, and led to increased reports of fraud, HMRC said.

The phishing scam works by encouraging recipients to give their bank or credit card details in order to collect the supposed tax refund - leaving them open to having their bank accounts drained and the possibility of ID theft.

The HMRC said it has received over 15,000 reports of such phishing emails over the last 12 months and is now working on trying to disrupt those behind them.