Scams Warning as Self Assessment Deadline Looms

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning about scam attempts targeting Self Assessment customers, urging them to be cautious as the 31 January tax return deadline approaches.

In the past year, nearly 150,000 scam referrals have been reported to HMRC, highlighting the increasing threat posed by fraudsters. With millions of people expected to complete their Self Assessment tax return and pay any owed tax by 31 January 2025, scammers are exploiting the opportunity by offering fake tax refunds or demanding payments to obtain personal and banking information. Alarmingly, nearly half of the scam reports (71,832) were related to fake tax rebate claims.

Rise in Scam Reports

Between November 2023 and October 2024, HMRC received 144,298 scam referrals, marking a 16.7% increase from the previous 12 months, which saw 123,596 reports. HMRC emphasizes that any communication claiming to offer tax refunds or requesting personal information should be carefully checked against the advice available on GOV.UK.

How to Identify Scams

HMRC has reiterated that it will never:

• Leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest.
• Request personal or financial information via text message or email.

Kelly Paterson, Chief Security Officer at HMRC, stated:
“With millions of people filing their Self Assessment return before January’s deadline, we’re warning everyone to be wary of emails promising tax refunds. Being vigilant helps you spot potential scams. And reporting anything suspicious helps us stop criminal activity and protect others who could receive similar bogus communications.

“Our advice remains unchanged: Don’t rush into anything, take your time, and check ‘HMRC scams advice’ on GOV.UK.”

How to Report Scams

HMRC will never contact customers via email, text, or phone to announce a refund or ask for personal information. Anyone eligible for a refund should claim it through their secure online HMRC account or the free HMRC app.

Suspicious communications can be reported to HMRC as follows:

• Forward suspicious emails to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• Report tax scam phone calls via GOV.UK.
• Forward suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599.

Staying Safe from Scams

To protect yourself:

• Protect: Safeguard your personal information. Use strong and unique passwords across accounts.
• Recognize: Be wary of unexpected communications. Verify authenticity through GOV.UK and avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
• Report: If you suspect fraud, report phishing emails to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., forward suspicious texts to 60599, and report fraudulent phone calls through GOV.UK. If money has been stolen, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to Action Fraud or police on 101 in Scotland.

Additional Resources

HMRC is encouraging customers to prepare early for filing their Self Assessment tax returns to avoid last-minute stress. They offer a range of online tools, YouTube videos, and support for first-time filers.

The government’s national campaign, ‘Stop! Think Fraud’, provides further advice on staying safe online. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/stopthinkfraud.

For press updates, follow HMRC’s Press Office on X: @HMRCpressoffice.