MoneySavingExpert.com homepage
Cutting your costs, fighting your corner
Founder, Martin Lewis · Editor-in-Chief, Marcus Herbert
Search bar closed.
MSE News

Tax scammers who pretend to be from MoneySavingExpert.com

tax_scrabble_board
Helen Knapman
Helen Knapman
News & Investigations Editor
16 August 2011

Consumers in Suffolk should beware of a cold calling scam from a company illegally claiming to be MoneySavingExpert.com.

Suffolk Trading Standards is warning of a fraud where consumers are told they are due a tax rebate and then asked to buy an online voucher, and give it to the criminals in exchange for a rebate cheque.

Key Points

  • Firm cold-calling with tax rebate scam

  • Illegally using our name

  • Consumers warned not to fall victim

The fraudulent company has been illegally using both the MoneySavingExpert.com name and company address to give it credibility, referring to itself as "Money Saving Expert" when phoning.

We never cold call anyone, let alone provide cheques to consumers for tax rebates or any other purposes.

The company, whose true identity is unknown, has also falsely claimed to be representing the 'Ministry of Finance', when there is no such department in the UK.

The scam

The fraud works by asking consumers to buy a Ukash voucher, which is a legitimate online credit people buy using cash then use to pay for goods online, in exchange for a tax rebate cheque.

The scam was highlighted earlier this month when a consumer contacted Suffolk Trading Standards after a company cold called him, saying he was due a tax rebate of nearly £6,000.

Wendy Alcock, campaigns coordinator at MoneySavingExpert.com, says: "As campaigners on consumer rights we sadly hear tales like this every day.

"Scammers are good at making their scams look authentic and millions are caught out each year but it's great to see in this case the consumer knew things didn't add up and contacted their local trading standards.

"We urge anyone else who is unsure of a company's claims to do the same."

Been scammed - what should you do?

Suffolk Trading Standards is warning people using Ukash vouchers not to provide the code on the voucher to anyone calling them, particularly if they are claiming to be able to reclaim tax rebates, bank charges or similar.

County councillor Colin Spence, portfolio holder for public protection, says: "Consumers should be very wary of contact via distance communication from companies asking for an upfront fee or the purchase of money vouchers in exchange for tax rebates.

"In this case a well known company name has been used to try to provide the scam with some creditability and lure consumers into parting with hard earned money.

"The best advice we can give is if the offer appears too good to be true, it probably is."

Anyone who suspects that someone may be trying to scam them should either contact their local trading standards, call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or phone Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

MSE Forum
Forum image
MSE Email icon 26 November 2024

For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today - it’s spam free!

Cheap telecoms deals
Broadband, Sims & mobiles
Longest definite 0% debt shift
29 months
Martin: Aged 66+ and ill/disabled?
See if you're due £3,800 a year
Free letters from Santa
See full info
Fix energy at 9%
LESS than new Price Cap
Energy standing charges cut?
Read Martin's new blog
The Scams Epidemic
Martin's podcast special
Tools and calculators

Clever ways to calculate your finances

Find your odds of getting top cards
Find your odds for getting a cheap loan
Compare broadband, phone & TV deals
Compares thousands of mortgages
Eight calcs to help you work out the cost
We ensure you’re on the cheapest tariff