Ongoing Phishing Attacks

UCL is currently seeing a large number of emails claiming to be from HMRC and to be about how to claim your tax refund.  These are an attack known as phishing.

Unfortunately these are not from HMRC but from a criminal who want to trick people into sharing personal information. In particular they are hoping to obtain bank account information which could be used to steal money from you.  So please do not open these emails, click on any links they contain or open any attachments.

Most attacks of this type attempt to install malware to your device so they can carry out other attacks such as:

• Stealing your documents and photos
• Activating your camera and microphone to spy on you
• Encrypting your files and demanding a ransom
• Or even using your computer as a launching point to attack other people.

So please think twice before you click on links or attachments you are sent. If you want to report receiving this sort of email you can do this at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ and that site also has some excellent advice on what to do if you have shared information with a criminal.