Warning issued over scam HMRC phone calls in Wrexham area

Residents across Wrexham are being warned of scammers contacting victims claiming to be from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

The callers, which have targeted a number of homeowners in the Wrexham area in the past few days, trick people into paying bogus debts and taxes using iTunes gift cards.

OWL (Online Watch Link Association) issued further information about the scam this afternoon, stating that over the weekend there have been a number of calls to elderly persons across Wrexham and Flintshire purporting to be from the HMRC.

The caller states that the aggrieved person owes them money before requesting that the person buys an iTunes vouchers to pay the outstanding bill. Such vouchers can be purchased at supermarkets across the counties.

Details released by OWL state that fortunately some supermarket staff have thought that this is suspicious and have stopped the elderly person from going ahead with this fraud. However some victims have already been conned into sending over the details of the vouchers and enquiries are in hand to catch these people.

Officers are visiting the local supermarkets to speak to the managers to make them aware.

Last week Wrexham Council tweeted to say they were aware of residents receiving calls and urged people to contact North Wales Police via 101 to report the number / incident.

We are aware of people receiving calls claiming to be from HMRC and asking them to call 2922550404. Please do not ring this number and call the police 101 to report the call. pic.twitter.com/ZriSoilC1Z

— Wrexham Council (@wrexhamcbc) March 16, 2018

Remember, the tax office will not phone people at home demanding money and expect a payment via iTunes.