HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning millions of Self Assessment customers to remain vigilant after a surge in scam attempts targeting taxpayers.
Fraudsters are continuing to impersonate HMRC through bogus tax refund offers, phishing emails, and fake calls demanding urgent payments in an effort to steal personal and banking information.
Between August 2024 and July 2025, HMRC received more than 170,000 scam referrals from concerned customers — a 12% decrease on the previous year, but still including more than 47,000 fake refund claims.
Red flags and advice
Scammers may claim it is safe to share sensitive details such as passwords, usernames or access codes. HMRC has stressed that customers should never share login information — not even with friends, family members, or tax agents.
Filing tax returns early can also help reduce the risk of being caught off guard, as those who have already submitted their Self Assessment are less likely to be deceived by fraud attempts closer to the 31 January 2026 deadline.
What HMRC will never do
HMRC emphasised that it will never:
- leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest
- ask for personal or financial details via text message or email
- contact customers about a refund through email, text, or phone
Refunds can only be claimed securely through official channels, either via the HMRC online account or the free HMRC app.
Statement from HMRC
Kelly Paterson, HMRC’s Chief Security Officer, said:
“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.
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. Search ‘HMRC scams advice’ and refer to the scams guidance on GOV.UK to stay informed and protect yourself.”
How to report scams
Customers can help HMRC tackle fraud by reporting suspicious activity:
- Forward scam emails to [email protected]
- Forward suspicious texts to 60599
- Report scam phone calls via the GOV.UK website
