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HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a critical reminder for people to be vigilant against scams, especially as the Self Assessment tax return deadline approaches. With nearly 150,000 reported scams referred to HMRC in the last year alone, fraudsters are intensifying their activities, using sophisticated methods to trick individuals out of their money and personal information.

This guide provides practical advice on how to spot these scams, what to do if you are targeted, and how to protect yourself. Understanding the tactics used by criminals is the first step in safeguarding your financial details.

The Rise in Fake Tax Rebate Scams

HMRC reports that approximately half of all reported scams in the past year were fake tax rebate claims. These phishing scams are designed to harvest personal and financial details. Fraudsters send emails and text messages that look official, promising a tax refund to lure you into clicking malicious links.

How to Know if an Email from HMRC is Real

A common question is how to distinguish a genuine contact from a scam. A real message from HM Revenue and Customs will never use threatening language or create a false sense of urgency. An HMRC email scam often pressures you into immediate action.

What HMRC Will Never Do

It is helpful to know what HMRC will never do. They will not:

• Threaten you with arrest or legal action in a voicemail.
• Ask for personal or financial information, such as bank details or passwords, via text messages or email.
• Contact you by email, text, or phone to announce a tax refund and ask you to claim it.
• Send notifications of a tax rebate via social media.

Any message that does these things is a scam.

Identifying Suspicious Emails

Scam emails are a primary tool for criminals. These phishing emails often contain links to fake websites that look like the official HMRC website. Their goal is to get you to disclose personal details or payment information. Be cautious if an email asks for personal information or contains unexpected attachments. Never open attachments from an unknown sender.

Spotting Suspicious Text Messages

Fraudsters also use suspicious text messages to target their victims. You might receive a text message claiming you are due a tax refund or need to update your account details. These messages often contain links designed to steal your financial information or install malware on your phone. HM Revenue will send text messages, but they will never ask you to share personal details in them.

Recognizing Scam Calls

Scam calls can be particularly distressing. A common tactic involves a caller claiming to be from HMRC, threatening arrest for unpaid taxes. These phone calls are designed to frighten you into making a payment. If you receive such a contact, you should hang up immediately. Do not respond to the caller's demands.

Practical Advice to Protect Yourself

Protecting your personal information is crucial. Always be sceptical of unsolicited contact. If you are unsure about a message, do not respond. Instead, contact HMRC directly using a phone number or website address you know to be genuine. Do not use any links or phone numbers provided in the suspicious message.

How to Report Scams

Reporting phishing attempts is vital. It helps authorities investigate and protect other potential victims.

Report Scam Emails

If you receive suspicious emails, you should report them. Forward the entire email to HMRC’s phishing team at report@phishing.gov.uk. After you report scam emails, you should delete the message from your account.

Report Suspicious Text Messages

You can report suspicious text messages by forwarding the message to 7726. This is a free service and it reports the message to your mobile network provider. Network charges do not apply for this service.

Report Scam Calls

You can report scam calls to Action Fraud. If you are in Scotland, you can report the fraud to Police Scotland. Keeping a record of reported scams helps authorities build a case against the criminals responsible.

What to Do If You Have Responded to a Scam

If you have already responded to a scam, shared personal details, or made a payment, you must act quickly.

1. Contact your bank: Inform your bank immediately if you have shared your bank account details or financial information. They can take steps to protect your account and your money.
2. Report to Action Fraud: Report the incident to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
3. Change Passwords: If you have shared any passwords, change them on all your accounts immediately.

Verifying Genuine HMRC Contact

If you have any doubt about whether a message is genuine, you can visit the GOV.UK website to verify the communication. The National Cyber Security Centre also offers advice on how to spot and report phishing attempts. Never assume a message is real just because it looks official.

By staying informed and cautious, you can effectively protect yourself from the growing threat of Self Assessment scams. Always verify contact and report any suspicious activity to help stop these criminals.
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https://www.gov.uk/government/news/scams-warning-as-self-assessment-deadline-loom