TAX credit claimants in Gwent are being warned to watch out for scam or ‘phishing’ emails sent out by fraudsters.

The warning comes as HMRC launches an advertising campaign to remind claimants to renew their tax credits or their payments might stop.

From April to July last year nearly 22,000 phishing emails were reported to HMRC during the renewal period.

The department worked with other agencies to shut down more than 147 scam websites during the period but others continued to be created. The emails often promise money back and, if the recipient clicks on a link, they are taken to a fake replica of the HMRC website.

They are then asked to provide credit or debit card details or other sensitive information such as passwords. The fraudsters then try to take money from their account. Money may be stolen from bank accounts, or their personal details sold to criminal gangs for possible identify theft.

HMRC works with law enforcement agencies to shut down such attacks. Scam websites have been closed down in countries including Austria, Mexico, the UK, South Korea, the USA, Thailand, Eastern Europe and Japan.