Trading Standards - Self Assessment Scams

15th January 2026

HMRC is warning customers to be wary of scam emails, texts and phone calls in the run up to the Self Assessment deadline on 31st January.

They have received over 48,000 reports of Self Assessment scams since February 2025.

In the last ten months, over 135,500 HMRC-related scams have been reported, including 29,000 scams referring to fake tax refund claims.

Some of the most common scam messages:
offer a tax rebate
ask you to click on a link to update your records, saying that they're out of date
claim that your National Insurance number has been used fraudulently
threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion

How to Avoid
HMRC will never ask for personal or financial information over text message or email, or leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest - only fraudsters and criminals will do that.

They will not email, text or phone to tell you that you are due a refund or ask you to request a refund. Anyone who is due a refund from HMRC can claim it via their online HMRC account or the free and secure HMRC app.

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 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
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

Guidance on Self Assessment: www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-return-forms

Original article: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/4800-self-assessment-scams-reported