As the self assessment season picks up, HMRC has urged taxpayers to be alert to scams. Over the past year, nearly 145,000 scam attempts were reported, a 16.7% increase compared to the previous year. Fraudsters often pose as HMRC, using fake tax refund offers or demanding unpaid tax to steal personal and financial details.

Alarmingly, around half of all reports involved fraudulent rebate claims. HMRC has stressed that it never contacts taxpayers via text, email, or phone to offer refunds or demand payments. It will also never leave threatening voicemails about legal action or arrest.

HMRC says tax refunds can only be claimed securely through an official online account or the free HMRC app. Suspicious messages or unexpected contacts should be ignored — do not reply, share information, download attachments, or click on links, as these can lead to data theft or malware attacks.

HMRC’s advice to report scams:

• Forward suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk
• Report fraudulent calls via the HMRC website on gov.uk
• Forward scam texts to 60599

Earlier this year, the Government launched the ‘Stop! Think Fraud’ campaign, supported by organisations across law enforcement, tech, banking, and telecoms. 

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