1. General news
1.1. HMRC Update regarding Sunday Times article
HMRC has written to the professional bodies as follows:
"Some of you may have seen the article in the Sunday
Times yesterday which alleged that fraudsters had found a way to
hack into HMRC systems. We categorically refute this but thought it
would be helpful to send you an updated security message in case
your members should raise any queries with you.
Criminals will look to exploit any weaknesses in
customers' online security to commit fraud, whether against
them, financial institutions or Government. In common with all
online providers HMRC takes customer security seriously and
constantly reviews and updates its security messages via the HMRC
website, with dedicated security pages informing Tax Agents what
they need to do to protect both themselves and their client
details. See www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/agents.htm . (Our
current guidance was developed in the light of advice from
