Ultimately, HMRC will never ask you for personal or financial info out of the blue.
They don’t contact people via WhatsApp, and they won’t threaten you with arrest.
If you receive anything suspicious, forward the message to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk or text 60599 for scam texts. For full peace of mind, always log in directly to your tax account rather than trusting messages or emails.
As always, the advice stands that if something looks too good to be true, it usually is, but Rebecca Bebbington, personal finance expert at NetVoucherCodes says there are detailed scams hitting inboxes and phones this summer and, looks at how taxpayers can protect themselves without losing a penny.
1. “You’re Due a Tax Rebate” Text or Email
This one’s an old favourite because it works unless you’re wise to it. You get a message claiming you’re owed a tax refund and need to click a link to claim it.
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 of processing your refund.
(Image: NetVoucherCodes) If you do get an email about a tax rebate from HMRC, make sure the address ends in hmrc.gov.uk. If you get one of these, forward it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk so the authorities can track the scammers. To check if you’re owed a refund, log into your personal tax account directly via GOV.UK – never through a link in a message.
2. Robocall Saying “HMRC Is Filing a Lawsuit Against You”
This is one of the nastier ones. You get a robotic call telling you HMRC is taking legal action or that a warrant is out for your arrest unless you press a number and speak to someone. It’s designed to frighten you into paying a fake “fine” or handing over sensitive details.
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.
3. “Confirm Your Self-Assessment Details” Phishing Emails
After the end of the self-assessment tax deadline, fraudsters switch tactics. Now it’s all about convincing you there’s an issue with your tax return and asking you to “verify” your information to avoid penalties or delays.
These emails often look legitimate, they might have the HMRC logo, some official-sounding language, and a link to a login page. But 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.
So don’t click. 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.
4. Fake Tax Refund Services on Social Media
There’s a newer breed of scam doing the rounds and it’s targeting people on TikTok, Instagram and even WhatsApp. So-called “tax experts” or “refund agents” claim they can unlock hidden rebates from HMRC, promising quick cash in exchange for a fee or a cut of your refund.
But 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. Stick to registered tax agents listed on the GOV.UK website and never share your login credentials with anyone.
5. Fake Court Summons or Arrest Threats via Email or WhatsApp
In this scam, you might get a WhatsApp message or email warning you that legal action has already been taken against you. It often says you’ve ignored previous notices and now face court, fines or even jail. Some include PDF “summons” or “final warnings” with fake HMRC branding to ramp up the pressure.
It’s pure intimidation. HMRC doesn’t threaten legal action via WhatsApp or email, and they certainly don’t send out arrest notices. If you’re ever worried a message might be genuine, contact HMRC directly using their verified numbers, but don’t click on or respond to these messages. Delete and report them.
Get your tax return done early and find out sooner if you’re owed money. ⏲️
We’ll let you know if you’ve overpaid tax after you file your Self-Assessment tax return and refund you. 💷
File today. 👇 https://t.co/OIh3mAczQk pic.twitter.com/vbmz1AjfKK
— HM Revenue & Customs (@HMRCgovuk) June 3, 2025
6. Fake National Insurance “Compromise” Calls
Here’s a nasty one that’s been doing the rounds for a while and has seen a resurgence recently. You get a call, sometimes automated, sometimes a real person, claiming your National Insurance number has been compromised and is being used for fraudulent activity. They say unless you act quickly, your assets will be frozen or the police will get involved.
What follows is a request for you to “verify your identity” by giving personal information – NI number, date of birth, full name, even bank details. In some cases, they’ll ask you to transfer money to a “safe account” while they “investigate.”
Don’t fall for it. Your NI number can’t be “suspended” or frozen. HMRC doesn’t call people to talk about identity fraud like this, and they certainly won’t ask you to move money. If you get a call like this, hang up immediately. If you’re worried, contact HMRC or the National Insurance helpline directly using numbers from the GOV.UK site.
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7. Bogus “Tax Overpayment” Letters Through the Post
While we usually focus on digital scams, old-school postal scams haven’t gone away – and they’re starting to look more professional. 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.”
Because they arrive in the post and look official, people often trust them more than they should. But HMRC doesn’t ask for this level of personal detail through the post, especially not copies of ID or full card details.
If you receive something like this, compare it against real correspondence from HMRC. Still unsure? Ring HMRC directly to confirm whether the letter is genuine. And never, ever send bank or ID details to an address you can’t verify.
