In short
HMRC says it will never tell you about a tax rebate or ask for personal or payment details by text message, and only emails about rebates from addresses ending in hmrc.gov.uk. It also says it will never threaten arrest, leave voicemails threatening legal action, or ask you to pay with gift or payment vouchers.
Most common fake: Unexpected tax refund or rebate offers sent by text, email or social media.
Safest check: Do not use links or numbers in the message; sign in to your HMRC online account by typing gov.uk into your browser.
What HMRC says
HMRC says it will never tell you about a tax rebate or ask for personal or payment details by text message, and only emails about rebates from addresses ending in hmrc.gov.uk. It also says it will never threaten arrest, leave voicemails threatening legal action, or ask you to pay with gift or payment vouchers. Source: HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK)
Common fake HMRC messages
- Unexpected tax refund or rebate offers sent by text, email or social media
- Calls or voicemails threatening arrest or legal action over unpaid tax
- Messages asking for bank or card details to receive a refund or grant
- Pressure to transfer money or pay with gift or payment vouchers
- Contact through WhatsApp claiming to be HMRC
HMRC's real web addresses
Genuine HMRC links and emails use these domains. Look at the part just before the first single slash: gov.uk is real, but gov-support-center.com or gov.uk.account-check.top are not.
- gov.uk
- hmrc.gov.uk
- tax.service.gov.uk
Scammers can also hide a fake link behind real-looking text. Learn how to read a web address.
How to check a HMRC message safely
- Do not use links or numbers in the message; sign in to your HMRC online account by typing gov.uk into your browser
- Check the contact against HMRC's list of genuine HMRC contacts on GOV.UK
- Remember HMRC does not send tax rebate notices by text, so treat any such text as a scam
How to report a fake HMRC message
- Forward suspicious HMRC texts to 60599 (charged at your network rate) and forward suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Official details on gov.uk
- Report suspicious phone calls using HMRC's online suspicious phone call form, and report fake social media accounts to branddefence@hmrc.gov.uk. Official details on gov.uk
Also report it to the official fraud service in your country. See the worldwide list.
If you clicked, paid or shared details
Act quickly. It makes a difference.
- If you entered card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card, and ask them to block the card.
- If you entered a password, change it on the real HMRC website or app and turn on two-step verification.
- Expect follow-up calls or messages pretending to help. Never share one-time codes or move money to a "safe account".
- Report the scam, then delete the message.
More help: Fake tax refunds, government payments and fines and what to do after a scam.
Questions people ask
Does HMRC send messages asking for payment or personal details?
HMRC says it will never tell you about a tax rebate or ask for personal or payment details by text message, and only emails about rebates from addresses ending in hmrc.gov.uk. It also says it will never threaten arrest, leave voicemails threatening legal action, or ask you to pay with gift or payment vouchers.
How can I check if a HMRC message is real?
Do not use links or numbers in the message; sign in to your HMRC online account by typing gov.uk into your browser. Check the contact against HMRC's list of genuine HMRC contacts on GOV.UK. Remember HMRC does not send tax rebate notices by text, so treat any such text as a scam.
How do I report a fake HMRC message?
Forward suspicious HMRC texts to 60599 (charged at your network rate) and forward suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Report suspicious phone calls using HMRC's online suspicious phone call form, and report fake social media accounts to branddefence@hmrc.gov.uk.
I clicked a link in a fake HMRC message. What should I do?
Don't enter anything else. If you typed card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card. If you entered a password, change it on the real website and turn on two-step verification. Then report the message and delete it.
Official sources and further reading
We check our pages against official advice from the organisations themselves and from government agencies.
- Report suspicious HMRC emails, text messages and phone calls (HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK))
- Identify tax scam phone calls, emails and text messages (HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK))