Fraudsters are posing as HMRC officials and telling people they are owed tax refunds, according to a new warning issued by the tax authority. Officials have urged the public not to click suspicious links or share personal information after reports of scam messages increased.
The alert comes as many taxpayers across the UK may legitimately be eligible for rebates after overpaying tax during the financial year. HMRC said scammers are exploiting that possibility to trick people into handing over banking details.
HMRC issued the warning in a post on X on Wednesday, stating that it had received “increased reports of customers being contacted by scammers claiming they are due a tax refund”. The department advised people to pause before responding to unexpected communications and to verify any claims through official channels.
Tax refunds can arise for several reasons, including being placed on the wrong tax code or leaving the UK before the end of the tax year. According to TaxAid, HMRC will often identify overpayments after the tax year has ended and contact taxpayers directly about any refund owed.
Fraudsters Using Fake Refund Claims to Obtain Banking Details
The tax authority warned that scammers are attempting to exploit public interest in tax refunds by sending messages designed to appear legitimate. These messages may arrive by text, email or phone call and often encourage recipients to click links to claim money allegedly owed to them.
According to HMRC, some criminals have also created convincing copies of official government websites in an effort to gather personal information and banking credentials. Victims may believe they are interacting with a genuine HMRC portal when entering their details. In its public warning, HMRC said: “Always take the time to stop and think if the request is genuine before sharing personal information or clicking on any links.”
The department also stressed that people who are uncertain about a communication should avoid interacting with it altogether. “If you’re unsure, don’t click on any links and report it to us,” HMRC added.
The warning reflects a wider pattern of cyber fraud in which official organisations are impersonated to gain access to sensitive financial information. Refund-related scams remain particularly effective because many people expect some form of communication from HMRC after the tax year ends.
HMRC Advises Taxpayers to Use Official Channels Only
People who believe they may genuinely be owed a refund are being encouraged to check directly through official HMRC services rather than relying on unsolicited messages. According to HMRC, taxpayers can confirm whether they are due money by logging into their HMRC online services account or using the official HMRC app.
The department also directed the public to guidance explaining how to identify fraudulent phone calls, emails and text messages linked to tax scams. Officials said suspicious text messages can be forwarded to 60599, while phishing emails can be reported to [email protected].
HMRC further advised members of the public to block suspicious senders and delete scam communications after reporting them. The guidance is intended to help authorities monitor emerging fraud tactics and reduce the risk of further victims being targeted. According to TaxAid, the process of identifying overpaid tax and issuing refunds can take several months after the end of the tax year. That delay may leave some taxpayers more vulnerable to fraudulent messages claiming immediate action is required.
The latest warning serves as a reminder for taxpayers to verify any unexpected contact carefully before responding, particularly where personal or financial information is requested.
