HMRC Tax Refund Text Scam: How to Spot It and Where to Report It

Short answer: HMRC does not send texts about tax rebates or ask for personal or payment details by text. A message saying "you are due a tax refund, claim here" is a scam. Forward suspicious texts to 60599 and emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, then delete them.

What the scam looks like

• "HMRC: You are eligible for a tax refund of £xxx. Claim it here: [link]"
• "Your tax return has an error. Update your details to avoid a penalty."
• A link to a page copying GOV.UK that asks for your bank or card details.
• Urgency: the refund "expires today".

How to report it

• Texts: forward to 60599 (charged at your network rate). You can also forward scam texts to 7726 for your mobile network.
• Emails: forward to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
• WhatsApp or other apps: screenshot the message and email it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.

Clicked the link or entered details?

1. Call your bank on the number on your card and tell them.
2. Contact HMRC's security team if you gave personal information. Say what you shared, without putting your personal details in the email.
3. If you lost money, report it to Action Fraud (or Police Scotland on 101).
4. Change any passwords you entered.

How to check a real tax refund

Sign in to your HMRC online account by typing GOV.UK into your browser yourself, or use the HMRC app. Real refunds show there.

Related: DVLA vehicle tax scams, parcel delivery texts and unknown card charges.