Online banking

Contact your bank asap.

The 08 32 numbers, variously 08 32 00, 08 32 10, 08 32 20 are legitimate sort codes for paying different kinds of tax.

Your screen crop does not however show what is to the right of those. To pay HMRC directly you need a unique tax reference (UTR) number which they must issue to you.

With my own banking app, if I want to pay someone new, the first thing screen I am directed to is a scam check and the first question is: “How did you get the sort code and account number?”

This suggests to me that a bank would not provide a handy list of ready made choices so the presence of these does look suspicious.

Contact your bank.

I use my online banking frequently and get asked if it is to pay a bill etc., but I have never seen this before.

It's better to be safe than sorry. Perhaps check with your bank.

Thank you all. I’ve never come across it before either and wondering why if it is from HMRC . Sadly I was just too late to contact them as is past 8pm but I will query it first thing tomorrow.

The number of HMRC scams always rises at this time of year as today is the deadline for filing online tax returns. However, these scams normally come via email, phone or text.

This is different. It could be a malware attached on your mobile phone which has come via an app you may have downloaded, say a QR code reader or a game.

Fraudsters build or buy apps designed for popular everyday uses then infect them with a virus that invades every part of your handset. It allows them to read your text messages, see your bank balances and spy on your personal information.
If you need to pay a bill or transfer money, malware can redirect your cash by altering the recipient's account details.

Did you pay your window cleaner? if so check with him that he has received the money.

Are you sure your bank doesn't have a 24 hour telephone line for reporting frauds and scams? Mine does and so do most big banks.

When I pay someone new I just have to enter the person’s or company’ name, sort code and account number. The account is then checked by my bank and there is a tick if the details correspond to a valid account. I have never seen anything like that before either. If it is a large amount the bank call us to make sure we want to continue with the payment, when we had our soffits and fascia’s renewed last May the bank called three times to check that my husband wanted to go ahead with the payment, they kept asking if he had been pressurized in any way, perhaps it was because he had just turned 80!

Just to clarify I have paid this recipient before several times and yes I did pay him. It isn’t anything to do with him not being trustworthy. I just noticed the HMRC items when I was dealing with the payment.
I’m not aware of there being a 24 hour telephone line though I was surprised not to see one.
Thank you again.

I wasn't suggesting that your window cleaner isn't trustworthy. I'm concerned that if your device has suffered a malware attack then the payment you thought you were sending to him may have been diverted to a scammers account. That's why I asked that you check that he has received it. As I said above, malware can redirect your cash by altering the recipient's account details.

All the big banks have 24 hour emergency lines: Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, Santander and Nationwide Building Society. Do call your bank as soon as possible.

have you tried ringing 159

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Use online banking for two accounts at different banks, never ever come across this, please let us all know what happens when you contact your bank