HMRC scams are extremely common, especially around Self Assessment deadlines and tax refund season. Scammers send texts and emails promising tax refunds or threatening legal action for unpaid tax.
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Common HMRC Scams in the UK
Here are the most common scams that impersonate HMRC, with real examples of the messages people receive:
⚠️ Tax refund
A message claiming you're owed a tax refund and need to click a link to claim it. HMRC never notifies you of refunds via text or email.
HMRC: You are eligible for a tax refund of £268.50. Claim now before it expires: http://hmrc-refund.org.uk/claim
⚠️ Unpaid tax threat
A threatening message about unpaid tax, often claiming legal action or arrest if you don't pay immediately. HMRC always writes to you by post for genuine tax issues.
HMRC URGENT: You have an outstanding tax payment of £892.00. Failure to pay within 24 hours will result in legal action. Pay now: http://hmrc-payment.com
⚠️ Suspicious activity
A message claiming suspicious activity on your tax account and asking you to verify your identity via a link.
HMRC: Suspicious activity detected on your tax account. Verify your identity to avoid account suspension: http://hmrc-verify.co.uk/login
How to Spot a Fake HMRC Message
HMRC will never text or email you about tax refunds — they always use post
HMRC will never threaten you with arrest or legal action via text message
Check the URL — genuine HMRC websites end in .gov.uk
HMRC will never ask you to click a link to log in from a text message
If it sounds too good to be true (unexpected refund) or too scary (arrest threats), it's almost certainly a scam
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Frequently Asked Questions
HMRC may send texts for specific services you've opted into (like Self Assessment reminders), but they will never text you about tax refunds, ask for payment via a link, or threaten legal action via SMS.
No. HMRC never notifies you about tax refunds via text or email. All genuine tax refund notifications come by post. If you've received a text about a refund, it's a scam.
Forward scam texts to 7726. Forward scam emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
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