HMRC Gateway Email Malware Spam bombards users

UK email users are being bombarded with malware scams that claim to be from the HMRC Gateway program regarding self-assessment taxes.

The tax deadline day in the UK is the last day of January, meaning many of those who do their own taxes have been filing, submitting and paying their tax returns over the last few days.

And malware scammers have been exploiting this by mass email malware attacks that appear to have been sent from HMRC  (HM Revenue and Customs) or “Gateway UK “.

 

Scam emails assert to be from the UK's HMRC

 

The emails claim that the supplied email attachment contains a copy of the submitted tax return and implores the reader to open it to sort out errors or problems before the deadline expires.

However the email attachment – as typical with these types of scams – contains a ZIP folder harbouring a malicious .exe application file.

If the email user opens the ZIP folder and executes the .exe file within, they are infecting their computer with malware.

If there are problems with your tax return, UK readers are advised to visit the http://www.hmrc.gov.uk site directly to sort out any problems, and NEVER open up attachments from suspicious emails like this.

If you need a copy of your tax return, this can be requested via postal mail or downloaded from the aforementioned website in PDF format.