Martin Lewis backs HMRC alert over £1,200 'free cash bonus' savings account

Beware of 'free money' scams

Martin Lewis has backed an HMRC alert over a £1,200 'free cash bonus' savings account scam. The scam involves fraudsters sending fake text messages or emails that appear to be from HMRC, offering a free cash bonus if you click on a link and provide your personal and financial information.

HMRC has warned that these messages are not genuine and that you should not click on the link or provide any personal or financial information. If you have received one of these messages, you should report it to HMRC.

How to spot a scam

There are a number of things you can look for to spot a scam, including:

• The message is unexpected.
• The message is from an unknown sender.
• The message contains spelling or grammatical errors.
• The message asks you to click on a link or provide your personal or financial information.

If you are unsure whether a message is genuine, you should always contact the organisation directly.

What to do if you've been scammed

If you have been scammed, you should report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. You can also report it to HMRC.

You should also contact your bank or credit card company to let them know that you have been scammed.

How to protect yourself from scams

There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from scams, including:

• Be wary of unexpected messages or emails, especially if they come from an unknown sender.
• Never click on links or provide your personal or financial information in response to an unexpected message or email.
• If you are unsure whether a message is genuine, contact the organisation directly.
• Keep your software up to date, as this can help to protect you from malware and phishing attacks.

By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from scams.