With millions of people due to complete their Self Assessment tax return and pay any tax owed by 31 January 2025, fraudsters are targeting people with offers of tax refunds or demanding payment of tax to get hold of personal information and banking details. Around half of all scam reports to HMRC (71,832) in the last year were fake tax rebate claims.
There has been a 16.7% increase in all scam referrals to HMRC – 144, 298 were received between November 2023 and October 2024, up from 123, 596 in the previous 12-month period.
If someone receives communication claiming to be from HMRC that asks for their personal information or is offering a tax rebate, check the advice on https://gov.uk/ to help identify if it is scam activity.
HMRC will never leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest, or ask for personal or financial information over text message – only fraudsters and criminals will do that.