British tax authorities, His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), disclosed that organized criminals accessed around 100,000 taxpayer accounts through a phishing scam, resulting in the theft of approximately £47 million ($64 million) in fraudulent government payments. The breach, which occurred in late 2024, locked out many taxpayers from their accounts. HMRC has assured that the financial loss will not be borne by the affected individuals. UK police are actively investigating the cybercrime gang responsible for the attack. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in online tax systems, with experts noting that while such phishing breaches are difficult to prevent entirely, they are avoidable with improved security measures. Separately, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued warnings to millions of Britons regarding potential impacts on benefits and pensions, including reforms to disability benefits (PIP) that could reduce payments by up to £5,750 annually. The government is also reviewing state pensions and encouraging beneficiaries to respond to communications to ensure continued support.