HMRC request is a con
Fraudsters claiming to be from HMRC have successfully persuaded victims to pay non-existent debts through the purchase of iTunes gift cards.
A 73-year-old man near Oban was recently targeted by one fraudster, telling him that he owed HMRC money and that the police would be called if he failed to pay up.
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Hide AdThe man was then instructed to go to a supermarket to purchase the gift cards.
The man was concerned enough to comply with this request - but when he told the shop assistant what he had been instructed to to do, he was advised to stop as it was in fact, a scam.
Police have reinforced that message and stated that HMRC would never ask a taxpayer to pay a penalty in this way.
They believe that the elderly in particular are being targeted across Scotland and that anyone with any concerns should contact them on 101.