HMRC issues urgent scam alert for UK taxpayers
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning to customers warning them to be wary of scams that claim to represent the department.
The department said it is often impersonated by scammers, who instil a sense of urgency by offering fake refunds or demanding fake payments with the goal of stealing personal and banking information.
HMRC said that concerned customers reported more than 170,000 of these scams in the 12 months to 31 July 2025.
While this is a small reduction compared with the previous year, HMRC said more than 47,000 of these reports still involved fake tax refund claims.
The prevalence of scams increases as the tax deadline for Self Assessment taxpayers approaches, meaning those who file their returns early are less likely to be caught off guard by scam attempts closer to the deadline.
“Scammers target individuals when they know Self Assessment customers will be preparing to file their tax returns. We’re urging everyone to stay alert to scam emails and texts offering fake tax refunds,” said HMRC Chief Security Officer Kelly Paterson.
“Taking a moment to pause and check can make all the difference. Report any suspicious activity to us before the fraudsters do any more harm.”
HMRC said that customers should never share their passwords, usernames, or access codes with anyone, even people who help them with their tax.
Users who receive a suspicious communication should refer to HMRC’s guidance on scams and phishing.
To report phishing attempts to HMRC, customers can report spam phone calls via GOV.UK, forward suspicious texts to 60599, or forward suspicious emails to [email protected]
