Fraudsters are targeting taxpayers with thousands of scam emails in the run up to the 31 January Self Assessment tax deadline HM Revenue & Customs has warned.

The scams tell the recipient they are due a tax refund and ask for bank or credit card details so that the fictitious tax refund can be paid out. HMRC advises:

* That any email appearing to originate from HMRC and which offers a tax refund should be forwarded unopened to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

* Do not click on websites links contained in suspicious emails or open attachments.

If in doubt check it out with HMRC at
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/fraud-attempts.htm