HMRC Warning Self Assessment Scams

19th October 2023

HMRC is reminding customers to be wary of scam emails, texts and phone calls in the run up to the Self Assessment deadline. HMRC received over 130,000 reports about tax scams in the 12 months to September 2023, of which 58,000 were offering fake tax rebates.
Some scams may offer a rebate, while others tell customers that they need to update their tax details or threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion.

How to Avoid
HMRC advise that you should be suspicious if you receive an unexpected phone call, text or email purportedly from them asking for money or offering financial help. You should not click on links, provide any details or make any payments to a cold caller.

If you are unsure if a message from HMRC is genuine, check their website (www.gov.uk/government/collections/check-a-list-of-genuine-hmrc-contacts) before clicking on any links or providing any details.

Links in any genuine letters or emails from them will lead to the www.gov.uk website. If a link includes the word 'gov' but ends in .co.uk it is likely to be fake.

Forward details of suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, forward suspicious text messages to 60599 or report suspicious phone calls online: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/reporting-fraudulent-emails

Find out More

Original article: www.gov.uk/government/news/scams-warning-for-12-million-self-assessment-customers
Identify HMRC scams: www.gov.uk/guidance/identify-hmrc-related-scam-phone-calls-emails-and-text-messages
ScamShare Spotlight PDF on HMRC scams: www.tsscot.co.uk/scamshare