Spoof SA return

Client received a spoof return

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A client has received a paper SA return for 2019/20. At first glance it appears ok but closer inspection shows obvious mistakes such as UTR in the wrong place and a phone number similar to HMRC but one digit wrong. SA returns are sent digitally so paper return has not been requested. 
Anyone else had this problem?

Replies (9)

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By Justin Bryant
29th May 2020 11:10

When you know you're being spoofed you can counter-spoof, so why not phone the number etc. and see what transpires (it would not surprise me if it's a basic HMRC error, but you never know and please let us know what transpires).

Or just tell us the number here & I'll try it for you.

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By Cheshire
29th May 2020 08:48

no

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By WhichTyler
29th May 2020 10:01

Weird sort of spoof; If they do what the sender wants, they fill it in and send it back to HMRC, so where's the benefit for the spoofer?

Conceivably they want the recipient to phone the number and get them in to a conversation about bank details and other personal information that will enable other sorts of fraud, but they'd be leaving a fairly obvious trail via the phone number.

Error seems more likely...

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Scooby
By gainsborough
29th May 2020 10:28

Probably an error but, on the other hand, quite a good way of getting someone's income details and sources, date of birth and possibly NINO and bank repayment details if they complete those sections on the return....

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Replying to gainsborough:
the sea otter
By memyself-eye
29th May 2020 10:58

A lot of effort from the spoofer - layout, paper, postage etc on the off chance that the recipient won't just hand it to his/her accountant who will submit online.

Spoofer - does that make the target a 'spoofee'?

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Replying to memyself-eye:
Scooby
By gainsborough
29th May 2020 14:07

Spoofee - must use that in my next Scrabble game :). I agree probably just a computer generated HMRC letter with errors on and, as mentioned by WhichTyler, return address should be easy enough to confirm if genuine.

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Replying to gainsborough:
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By WhichTyler
29th May 2020 13:48

But where did they ask them to send the completed return to?

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By paul.benny
29th May 2020 11:38

UTR is fairly obscure piece of personal data and not particularly easy to obtain (the only time you would need it is when dealing with HMRC).

It's not too difficult to produce a credible-looking email. But a printed document - that doesn't look like it's home-made? I've not seen a printed tax return for years - as far as I recall they may be A4 format but not A4 paper.

I'm not convinced that your document isn't genuine.

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By Tax Dragon
29th May 2020 19:03

Spoof question?

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