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HMRC routinely sends reminders and other information to self-assessment taxpayers in the run-up to the tax return filing deadline. But this is also high season for scam messages masquerading as instructions from HMRC.
These scam emails, voicemails and texts want you to click on links or persuade you to give out personal information, with the aim of defrauding you of your money. HMRC has issued guidance on what you can expect to see – and not see – in genuine communications from the department.
HMRC will never ask you for passwords, usernames or access codes. They will never threaten legal action or arrest, or try to rush you into taking any action.
A common ploy by scammers is to tell you about a tax refund you are supposedly due or to demand an urgent tax payment. What they want is to steal your bank details. HMRC will never ask you for passwords, usernames or access codes – these are private and should never be shared with anyone. HMRC will never threaten legal action or arrest, or try to rush you into taking any action – a common tactic of scammers to prevent people from stopping and thinking first.
HMRC will also never ask you to claim a tax rebate via a link. If you are owed anything, you can find out how much and reclaim it securely via your online personal tax account or the free HMRC app. The only links, or occasionally QR codes, that might appear in HMRC messages will lead to guidance on the HMRC website.
Emails that say you have a new message from HMRC should, however, not be ignored. Genuine emails will not include a link but will ask you to sign in to your online account. If you have agreed to receive messages from HMRC electronically, you will not get notices by post but only in your online account. Failing to read these messages will not excuse you from a penalty for missing a tax deadline.
