POSTED 18 JULY 2018

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A sophisticated email scam is doing the rounds using Inland Revenue branding to trick people into giving up their credit card details.

The email usually claims the recipient is due a large tax refund and then asks them to click on a link to another website where their money can supposedly be claimed.

Inland Revenue Chief Information Security Officer Doug Hammond says the email looks very convincing but there are a couple of important details that give their game away.

“Firstly look where the email is from. If it doesn’t come from an address that ends with ird.govt.nz then be very suspicious.

“Secondly look at the link where they are trying to direct people to claim the refund. Hover over the link with your mouse and make sure the web address is for a real Inland Revenue website. Don’t click on it.

“We send out emails all the time but customers should be aware what a fraudulent one looks like.”

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