In the run up to the tax return deadline, HMRC alerts self-assessment taxpayers to be vigilant to the danger of scammers posing as the tax authority. As part of its drive to remind individuals to file before the January 31 deadline, HMRC issues thousands of SMS messages and emails each year. HMRC says it is aware that calls, emails and messages are used by fraudsters to reach taxpayers.
In the last 12 months, HMRC has responded to more than 846,000 referrals of suspicious HMRC contact from the public and reported over 15,500 malicious webpages to internet service providers so that they can be taken down.
Many fraudsters threaten people to warn them of a fraudulent tax rebates or tax refunds. In order to create a sense of urgency they will use threatening language regarding refunds from HMRC. Imposters use scare tactics designed to force the taxpayer to hand over personal information, including bank data.
You can report suspicious HMRC emails, text messages and phone calls: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/reporting-fraudulent-emails or forward details of suspicious emails to HMRC’s phishing team
Forward text messages of suspicion to 60599. At your network rate, text messages will be paid. HMRC never sends tax rebate alerts or asks you to send a text message to share personal or payment information.
