Taxpayers are being warned over new HMRC scams that can have devastating effects on family finances. Personal finance expert Rebecca Bebbington has shed light on some of the latest tactics being employed by scammers, which can be easily mistaken for genuine communication or services from HMRC. Fortunately, protecting yourself from these scams doesn’t have to cost a thing.
One of the most recent methods involves scammers posing as fake ‘tax experts’ and ‘refund agents’ on social media, claiming they can « unlock hidden rebates from HMRC ». They may promise a quick payout in exchange for a small fee or a cut of your refund.
Rebecca warned: « They’re often unregulated, unqualified, and in some cases, outright fraudsters. Some will ask for your HMRC login details (a huge red flag), while others will file dodgy claims on your behalf, leaving you liable when HMRC comes knocking. Rule of thumb: if someone slides into your DMs offering a miracle refund, it’s almost certainly a scam. »
To verify the legitimacy of a tax agent, you can check the Gov.uk website, which has a list of all registered tax agents. However, Rebecca advised: « Never share your login credentials with anyone. »
Bogus letters
Receiving an HMRC letter is enough to set most hearts racing, but the added worry that it might be a scam can heighten anxiety levels, NetVoucherCodes.co.uk warned. The site said: « Some people have reported receiving letters claiming they’ve overpaid tax and are due a refund. These letters sometimes come with fake HMRC letterheads and a reply form asking for your bank account info or even copies of ID to ‘confirm your claim’.
« However, HMRC doesn’t request such extensive personal information via post, especially not photocopies of ID or entire card details. If you’re still doubtful? It’s best to contact HMRC directly to check if the correspondence is authentic. »
Robocalls
AI has seen a rise in robocalls and screening assistants, and scammers are exploiting this technology. Victims receive automated calls stating that HMRC is « taking legal action » or « a warrant is out for your arrest ».
The call may prompt you to press a specific number to talk to someone. As tension mounts, the fraudsters bank on you making hasty decisions, like paying fake fines or revealing confidential information in an attempt to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.
But Rebecca emphasised: « HMRC does not call people this way. They don’t send the police round if you miss a letter. If you get one of these calls, hang up immediately. Don’t engage, don’t press anything, and don’t give them the satisfaction of a reply. If you’re unsure, call HMRC yourself on 0300 200 3300. »
Fake summons and arrests
Similar to the robocalls, scammers might also employ tactics such as sending a WhatsApp message or email declaring imminent legal action, occasionally including a PDF with labels like « summons » or « final warnings » adorned with fraudulent HMRC logos designed to cause panic.
Rebecca said: « It’s pure intimidation. HMRC doesn’t threaten legal action via WhatsApp or email, and they definitely do not issue arrest notices. Should you be concerned about the authenticity of a message, reach out to HMRC using their official contact numbers for clarity, but never interact with or acknowledge these messages. Instead, delete them and report the incident. »
Classic scam calls, emails and texts
Even with these new tricks popping up, traditional scam methods are still prevalent, such as unsolicited emails, text messages, or calls from what seems to be an official source saying you that your details need confirmation, you’re entitled to a tax rebate, or claiming there has been suspicious activity on your accounts.
These communications typically include links leading to a fake website masquerading as HMRC. Rebecca warned: « That link usually takes you to a fake HMRC website that looks convincing enough to fool most people.
« From there, you’ll be asked for personal info such as bank details, date of birth, and even your NI number, all under the guise. The page is fake, designed purely to capture your login and security answers. Once scammers have that, they can access your real tax account and commit fraud in your name. »
In other instances, scammers may attempt to convince you that your funds are at risk and need to be transferred to a « safe account » while they investigate. Rebecca cautioned: « Don’t fall for it. Your NI number can’t be « suspended » or frozen. HMRC certainly won’t ask you to move money. If you get a call like this, hang up immediately. »
The expert encouraged individuals to forward any suspected phishing emails to phishing@hmrc. gov.uk so that the authorities can trace the fraudsters. And she warned people to only use the official Gov.uk website, through their browser not links sent to them, to use their personal tax account.
She further advised: « If you’re ever unsure whether something is real, go straight to the source: open a new browser tab and go directly to gov.uk. Never trust the links in emails unless you’re absolutely certain where they came from. »
