IT contractors will be exposed to a highly-increased risk of being targeted by phishing scams following the January 31st self-assessment tax return deadline.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned that there will be an upsurge in emails following this date as criminals try and exploit those who have filed taxes online with the promise of a tax rebate.

It stated that it will only ever contact people due a refund in writing and by the post, so emails, telephone calls and external companies claiming to act on their behalf should all be considered warning signs.

"We strongly urge anyone receiving such an email to send it to us for investigation before deleting it," the group asserted.

HMRC added that those who have fallen foul of this type of scam should also get in touch with their bank as soon as possible in order to minimise the damage that this can cause.

A total of 6.4 million people could be at risk from these scams, as this many self-assessment tax returns were completed before the deadline, IT contractors have been warned.