HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning after more than 4,800 Self Assessment scams have been reported since February 2025.

Scammers use persuasive and threatening tactics to target people when they are more likely to receive correspondence from HMRC. They send fake tax demands or attempt to pressurise people to hand over personal information.

In the last 10 months, customers have reported more than 135,500 HMRC-related scams, including 29,000 scams referring to fake tax refund claims.

HMRC is reminding customers to be vigilant as the Self Assessment deadline nears and check whether the email, SMS message or phone call claiming to be from HMRC is genuine on GOV.UK.

The Self Assessment deadline to file returns and pay any tax owed for the 2024 to 2025 tax year is:- 31 January 2026. Customers can file online on GOV.UK.

Lucy Pike, HMRC’s Chief Security Officer, said:- “Millions of people file a tax return each year and scammers mimic HMRC to try and catch unsuspecting victims out. I’m urging people to stay vigilant and if any emails, text messages or phone calls appear suspicious – don’t be lured into clicking on links or sharing your personal information – report it directly to HMRC. Just search ‘report an HMRC scam’ on GOV.UK to find out more.”

HMRC has taken swift action to close down nearly 25,000 fake websites and phone numbers in the last 10 months. HMRC will never:-

· leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest
· ask for personal or financial information via text message or email
· contact customers by email, text, or phone to inform them about a refund or ask them to claim 1

Anyone who receives suspicious communication from HMRC can forward emails to:- phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, SMS messages to:- 60599 or report phone calls mimicking HMRC on GOV.UK. Find out more about how to report scam activity to HMRC on GOV.UK.