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Fraudsters are cashing in by sending messages which tell the recipient they are due a tax refund and ask for bank or credit card details so that the fictitious tax refund can be paid out, tax officials say.

Customers who provide their details risk their accounts being emptied and credit cards used to their limit.

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has also warned of a growing number of telephone scams with fraudsters posing as tax officials arranging rebate payments.

Since April 2008 it has received over 11,000 reports of fraudulent repayment emails.

Lesley Strathie, HMRC Chief Executive said: "This is the most sophisticated and prolific phishing scam that 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 would strongly encourage anyone receiving such an email to send it to us for investigation."