HMRC boss ‘regrets' frustrations over £49m phishing scam disclosure
The revenue body has faced criticism and questions over why MPs were not informed earlier about the incident.
On June 4, it was disclosed that HMRC had lost £47 million after a phishing scam breached tens of thousands of tax accounts.
Following updated information published by HMRC on Tuesday, that figure was revised upwards, to £49 million.
Senior civil servants at HMRC told the Treasury Committee that 100,000 people had been contacted, or were in the process of being contacted, after their accounts were locked down in what they said was an 'organised crime' incident which started last year.
The Treasury Committee, which held a live session on June 4, wrote to Mr Marks earlier this week, telling him that: 'To discover this information during a session from press reports and without adequate time for the committee to review the information in detail is unacceptable.'
During a Public Accounts Committee hearing on Thursday, Mr Marks told MPs: 'We welcome your scrutiny.'
Mr Marks described the incident as a 'serious, and (an) unacceptable loss of £49 million to the Exchequer, affecting 100,000 of our customers, which is about 0.2% of the PAYE caseload'.
He added: 'Given we collect over £840 billion a year, the judgment on materiality is different for HMRC perhaps than other government departments.
'But nonetheless, I agree with the point with regards (to) disclosure, and I will do that in my annual report, which I will publish next month for the first time, so that is, again, properly done according to the rules under public money.
'The final thing really to say, I do regret if there's been any frustration in terms of our handling of this, that was not our intent at all.'
He said he would respond to correspondence he had received this week with more detail.
Mr Marks continued: 'I welcome your point, with regards (to) the opportunity to have in-private briefings, the level of security threats is significant and constant.
'The team detected and disrupted this one well. There was a criminal investigation. And in (a) private hearing, I'm happy to bring the head of the fraud investigation service, my chief security officer, to explain more about some of that detail but also the threat environment and the way in which we are ensuring HMRC is secure now and secure for the future as well.'
Earlier this week, an HMRC spokesperson said: 'We faced a series of evolving and complex criminal attempts to access online tax accounts and our priority has been to protect customers and their accounts.
'Our customers suffered no financial loss as a result.
'Thorough investigation has been necessary to understand the extent of this activity and pursue the criminals responsible.
'We've worked closely with the Information Commissioner's Office throughout to ensure we met our obligations.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
M&S reveals new summer cafe menu including Matilda cake dupe and Eton mess milkshake
M&S has taken a classic favourite to a whole new level – scroll down! Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MARKS & Spencer has unveiled a brand-new summer menu at its cafés across the UK, featuring more than 30 exciting new dishes, cakes, and drinks. Designed to reflect the sunny season, the new offerings are sure to attract customers looking for something fresh and indulgent. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A customer is seen at the British multinational retailer Marks & Spencer Credit: Getty 4 A general view of a Marks and Spencer M&S Foodhall supermarket Credit: Getty 4 M&S in London, England Credit: Getty Available in M&S cafés nationwide, the new menu includes a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dessert options. For those who like to start their day with something substantial, the Pesto Eggs, Halloumi & Asparagus (£9.95) is a hearty choice. If you're stopping by for lunch, the Hot & Crunchy Sandwiches (£7.50) offer a more casual but equally delicious option. The sandwiches, available in two flavours – Pesto Chicken and Spicy Tuna – are lightly toasted, crispy, and served with smashed avocado and rocket. For dessert, M&S has added some exciting new sweet treats to their café menu. Among the standouts is the Mini Bite Showstopper Cake (£5.50), which features layers of rich chocolate sponge and buttercream, topped with crunchy cornflakes and double chocolate mini bites. This cake is certainly one of the standout new offerings. But for those who remember the famous Matilda cake from the beloved movie, M&S has crafted a similar version that captures all the delicious indulgence of the iconic treat. Fans of classic treats will enjoy the Ultimate Cookie Sandwich (£2.50), where two soft butter cookies are filled with creamy Belgian chocolate ganache. In addition to the cakes, the café's drink menu has also received a summer makeover. The previously popular Iced Matcha has been replaced with the Iced Wild Strawberry Matcha, which combines the smoothness of matcha with the fruity taste of wild strawberries. This new drink promises to be a refreshing choice for the warmer months. For those with a serious sweet tooth, the Eton Mess Milkshake (£4.25) is a must-try. A twist on the classic British dessert, the milkshake is made with strawberry and raspberry flavours, topped with whipped cream, freeze-dried raspberries, and mini meringues. The full summer menu is available at M&S cafés across the UK, offering plenty of choice for every taste.
Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Wales Online
You won't get DWP £300 winter fuel payment if this rule applies to you
You won't get DWP £300 winter fuel payment if this rule applies to you The winter fuel payment will be made automatically this winter. Here's everything you need to know about the changes and who will qualify for the payment and who won't and how that works More people will get the winter fuel payment than previously thought (Image: Matthew Horwood ) In a significant policy reversal, millions of individuals will receive a winter fuel payment this year. It was confirmed on Monday, June 9, that pensioners earning £35,000 or less would receive a payment of up to £300 later this year. The announcement partially rolled back a contentious policy implemented last year that introduced means-testing for the winter fuel payment. This change drastically reduced the number of pensioners receiving the aid from 11.4 million to approximately 1.5 million. The payment, typically dispatched in November or December to assist with fuel expenses during the colder months, had previously been automatic. The changes announced this week have been attributed to the Labour Party's reduced public support following its general election triumph. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here Earlier this year, the government partially reversed its stance, confirming that more people would be eligible for the payment, but did not provide additional details until now. Under the revised rules, around nine million individuals will qualify for the payment at a cost of £1.25bn. This expenditure is anticipated to be offset by reclaiming the payment from higher-income pensioners through HMRC, reports Wales Online. Article continues below Who does and doesn't benefit under the new rules? The changes will enable all pensioners in England and Wales with an annual income of £35,000 or less to receive a winter fuel payment. But if you earn more than this - you will still receive the payment but it will be clawed back by the Government by another method. You can find out more about what the rules mean for couples here. This change extends eligibility to the vast majority of pensioners, with around nine million or over three-quarters set to benefit, according to ministers' statements on Monday, June 9. What do you need to do? There's no need for any action on your part; if you're eligible, the payment will be automatically made to you this winter. For those with incomes above the threshold, you will still get the payment but it will be automatically reclaimed by HMRC without any required intervention. The automatic payment this winter will be £200 per household, or £300 for households with someone aged over 80. Additionally, over 12 million pensioners throughout the UK will gain from the Triple Lock, which promises a State Pension increase of up to £1,900 during this parliament. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said earlier this week: "Targeting Winter Fuel Payments was a tough decision, but the right decision because of the inheritance we had been left by the previous government. It is also right that we continue to means-test this payment so that it is targeted and fair, rather than restoring eligibility to everyone including the wealthiest. Article continues below "But we have now acted to expand the eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment so no pensioner on a lower income will miss out. This will mean over three quarters of pensioners receiving the payment in England and Wales later this winter." Those pensioners who prefer to opt out and decline the payment entirely will be accommodated, with further details forthcoming.
Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
HMRC reveal top reasons for fraudulent work expenses
It's easy to accidentally claim back for something that isn't allowed. Take a look at the most common reasons for invalid expense claims. You can't claim for any expenses that your employer has already reimbursed. HMRC posted on X: "Don't get caught out by invalid working from home expense claims. Use our free eligibility checker before making any claims, even if you have an agent." Don't get caught out by invalid working from home expense claims. ❌ Use our free eligibility checker before making any claims, even if you have an agent. ✅ Click the link below to learn more. 👇 — HM Revenue & Customs (@HMRCgovuk) May 29, 2025 HMRC says you cannot claim the following Travel and overnight expenses if travelling or commuting to and from your normal place of work Lunch costs when you are travelling to your normal workplace - you can only claim expenses for food and drink when travelling to a temporary place of work Food you bring from home when travelling to a temporary workplace, you can only claim the cost of food you paid for during your time away Working from home costs when you have an office base but choose not to work there. If your employment contract lets you work from home some or all of the time, for example as part of flexible working arrangements, then you won't be eligible for this relief Uniform, work clothing and tools that have already been provided by an employer can't be claimed - this includes choosing to purchase 'better quality' alternatives to those provided by your employer Uniform washing costs when your employer has a laundry facility that you choose not to use, such as by washing your uniform at home instead Workwear that doesn't include a visible logo, for example, if your employer advises you to wear all black clothing this is not an eligible expense Union fees, unlike certain professional membership fees, aren't an allowable expense Any work expenses that are already covered by your employer Five things to keep in mind before claiming Have you got evidence to back up your expense claim? From 14 October 2024, we will require customers who want to claim work expenses to provide supporting evidence to prove their eligibility before we progress the claim. Tax relief on expenses won't necessarily lead to a repayment. Some expenses are automatically coded through to the following year – check your tax code is still correct. Expenses must be completely work-related and necessary for you to do your job. You can't claim for any expenses that your employer has already reimbursed. If you had an eligible claim in a previous job but the terms are different in a new job, then you may have incorrect items in your tax code. If you pay tax through 'pay as you earn', you're unlikely to need to claim expenses through Self Assessment. Recommended reading: How to make a claim from HMRC If you think you are on the wrong tax code, you can contact HMRC on 0300 200 330 or speak to an advisor online via their live chat service. HMRC will contact your employer to correct your tax code and you will get any money you overpaid in tax in your next payslip. You can also claim back up to four additional years if you have been overpaying for some time.
