Is that 'HMRC tax refund' text or email a scam?
“HMRC: you are due a tax refund of £274.30. Claim here.” Or the scarier version: “You owe unpaid tax. Pay now to avoid arrest.” Both are among the most common scams in the UK, and both are almost always fake. Here is how to tell.
How the scam works
You get a text, email or automated call claiming to be from HMRC. The refund version dangles free money and a link to “claim” it, which leads to a fake page that harvests your card and personal details. The threat version uses fear, a demand for immediate payment, sometimes even claiming a warrant is out for your arrest, to panic you into paying.
How to tell it is fake
- HMRC does not text or email you links to claim a refund. Real refunds appear in your online tax account or come by cheque or bank transfer through the proper process.
- HMRC will never threaten you with immediate arrest, or demand payment by gift cards, bank transfer to a “safe account”, or cryptocurrency.
- The message creates urgency (“today”, “final notice”, “within 24 hours”). Genuine tax matters do not work that way.
- The sender address or number looks off, even if the display name says HMRC.
What to do
- Don’t tap the link or call the number in the message.
- Check it yourself. Log in to your tax account only through gov.uk (type it in, don’t use the link), or call HMRC on a number from the gov.uk website.
- Report it. Forward suspicious texts to 7726, and scam emails to HMRC at phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Then delete the message.
The simple rule: never act on a tax message that came to you. Go to gov.uk yourself and check. If there's a real refund or bill, it will be there.
If you have already entered card details or paid, treat it as urgent and follow what to do if you’ve been scammed. Learning to spot a phishing email will help you catch the next one. More in our scams and fraud section.