FRAUDSTERS are sending thousands of scam emails promising tax refunds if people supply their bank account or credit card details. 

HM Revenue & Customs has warned says a  growing number of bogus tax officials arranging fake rebate payments by phone in the run-up to the January 31 self-assessment deadline.

The Revenue said there were likely to be further emails sent once the deadline had passed and taxpayers were waiting to hear about genuine refunds.

It warned consumers not to give details to the fraudsters as they risked having their bank account emptied or credit card used to its limit, while personal details were likely to be sold to other criminal gangs.

Lesley Strathie from HMRC said: "This is the most sophisticated and prolific `phishing' scam we have encountered. We only ever contact customers who are due a refund in writing by post. We never use emails, telephone calls or external companies in these circumstances.

"I strongly encourage anyone receiving such an email to send it to us for investigation."