A WOLLASTON woman is warning people of a new trend where fraudsters call victims claiming to be from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and trick them into paying bogus debts.

Christine Malko received a telephone call on Wednesday (August 10) saying a lawsuit was out against her from the tax office and asked her to hand over her bank details so the debts could be paid.

But luckily, the 61-year-old, who said she was “gobsmacked” when she received the call as she has never had any tax issues, thought to call HMRC to see if the claims were genuine.

She said: “I was so shocked when I came off the phone that I just didn’t know what to do.

“But I gave the tax office a ring who told me that there wasn't a lawsuit out against me and that they would never call and ask for details over the phone.

“They said they would always send a letter with the details in writing.”

Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud and cyber-crime reporting centre, said there has been a growing trend of fraudsters call victims claiming to be from HMRC.

The imposters are currently contacting victims via spoofed calls, voicemails and text messages saying that they owe unpaid taxes.

Christine added: “I’m no spring chicken myself, but it just makes you think that if an elderly or vulnerable person had received the call, panicked and given them their details, their life savings could have been taken.

“It was such a convincing performance from the person who called me, they were such a good actor and I could have easily believed everything they said.

“But it’s such a terrible thing for someone to experience and people need to be aware of things like this happening.”

A spokesperson from Action Fraud said: “HMRC will never call to tell you about a tax rebate, or penalty, or ever ask for payment in this way.

“Telephone numbers and text messages can easily be spoofed. You should never trust the number you see on your telephones display and if you receive a suspicious cold call, end it immediately.”

To report a fraud and receive a police crime reference number, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.