People panic over £500 HMRC message warning 'we're coming for you'

People have been called by scammers claiming to be from HMRC, stating: "We're coming for you". The scam warns the victim to pay £500 in unpaid taxes, or they'll be arrested within hours if they don't settle up, HMRC has warned taxpayers.

Scammers and fraudsters will demand payment in Amazon or Google Play vouchers. The high pressure tactics mean people are known to have been conned before they can fully grasp what is happening, HMRC has warned as it urged vigilance and caution.

On its website, HMRC warned: "If you have subscribed to the UK Government Channel on WhatsApp, you will receive updates that might include occasional tax-related reminders. These will be single message alerts and you will not be able to reply.

"HMRC will not communicate with you for any other reason using WhatsApp." If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from HMRC and do not respond. Forward the message to HMRC at reportphishing@phishing.hmrc.gov.uk, it says.

A separate, second scam and swindle doing the rounds centres on an automated message claiming that HMRC is filing a lawsuit against you for non-payment of tax, instructing you to "Press one to speak to a caseworker".

Pressing one connects you to a criminal armed with a convincing script and there they will employ classic scam tactics, pressuring you to make an immediate payment to halt the supposed "lawsuit" and to make it an immediate payout.

The scammers and fraudsters demand your card details, possibly even your bank information and confirmation of your full address, HMRC has warned. Once they have access to all this data, they possess the metaphorical 'keys' to your accounts.

This then gives them the chance to swiftly empty them - which would be a devastating and crushing blow for taxpayers amid the ongoing Cost of Living crisis.