Here’s How to Tell
With tax scams on the rise, it’s no surprise that many people panic when they receive an unexpected text message claiming to be from HMRC. But how do you know if it’s genuine or a fraudster trying to steal your money or personal information?
Here’s what you need to know.
HMRC Will Never Text You To Say You Owe Tax
One of the most important things to understand is what HMRC won’t do by text. HMRC will never send a text message:
- Threatening legal action or arrest
- Demanding immediate payment
- Asking for your bank details, PIN or passwords
- Offering a tax refund and asking you to click a link to claim it
If a text is doing any of the above it’s a scam.
What HMRC Does Use Texts For
HMRC does send genuine text messages in limited circumstances, such as:
- Two-step verification codes when you’re logging into your HMRC online account
- Reminders about filing deadlines
- Nudge messages encouraging you to check your tax position
These texts will never ask you to provide personal information or click a suspicious link.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Be cautious if the text:
- Creates a sense of urgency or panic (“You must act now or face prosecution”)
- Promises an unexpected tax refund
- Contains a link to a website that doesn’t end in GOV.UK
- Has spelling or grammatical errors
- Asks you to call a premium rate number
How to Check if It’s Genuine
- Don’t click any links in the message
- Go directly to GOV.UK by typing it into your browser — never follow a link from a text
- Log into your HMRC Personal Tax Account to see if there are any genuine notifications waiting for you
- You can also report the message to HMRC by going to GOV.UK and searching for Report suspicious HMRC emails, texts, social media accounts and phone calls
When in Doubt, Ignore It
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Delete the message and go directly to HMRC’s website. Genuine communications from HMRC will always be accessible through your official account, they won’t rely solely on a text message to reach you. Or get in touch and we can help you understand if the message is real.
