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How do I spot and report an HMRC scam?
For anyone who has had a call, text or email claiming to be from HMRC and is not sure it is real.
Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026
Scammers often pretend to be HMRC to get your money or personal details.
- Be wary if a call, text or email rushes you, threatens you, or offers a refund or grant.
- HMRC will never leave a voicemail threatening legal action or threaten arrest.
- Forward suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
- Forward suspicious texts to 60599.
- If you have lost money, report it to Report Fraud, or call Police Scotland on 101 if you live in Scotland.
Key facts
- Texts: forward to 60599
- Emails: phishing@hmrc.gov.uk
- HMRC never threatens arrest
- Lost money: tell Report Fraud
What an HMRC scam is
An HMRC scam is when a criminal pretends to be HM Revenue and Customs. They want you to hand over money, bank details or other personal information. Scams come by phone, text, email and social media.
Warning signs
HMRC says to be suspicious if the contact:
- rushes you
- is threatening
- is unexpected
- asks for personal information like bank details
- tells you to transfer money
- offers a refund, tax rebate or grant
What HMRC will and will not do
| Channel | What genuine HMRC contact looks like |
|---|---|
| Phone | HMRC will never leave a voicemail threatening legal action, and will never threaten arrest |
| Text | Sender shows as HM Revenue and Customs. Genuine texts do not ask for personal or financial information |
| HMRC only emails about a tax rebate, or asks for personal or payment details, from an address ending in hmrc.gov.uk | |
| Only occasional tax reminders on the UK Government WhatsApp channel, if you have subscribed to it. HMRC will not contact you on WhatsApp for any other reason |
HMRC does text people about some things, such as confirming it has received a Child Benefit claim. A genuine text might include a link to GOV.UK information or to HMRC webchat. HMRC may text you that you are due a tax refund (called a P800 refund) if it sent you a letter and you did not reply. That text will not ask for personal or financial information and will not contain any links.
HMRC also keeps a list of genuine HMRC contacts on GOV.UK. You can use it to check a message against real examples.
How to report a scam
- Email: forward it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, then delete it.
- Text message: forward it to 60599. You pay your normal network rate.
- Phone call: use HMRC's online service on GOV.UK to report a call you do not think is genuine.
- Social media account: email the details to branddefence@hmrc.gov.uk.
Do not open links in a message that offers a tax refund in return for your personal or bank details. If you want to check a contact is real, find HMRC's contact details on GOV.UK yourself.
If you have already replied
- You gave personal details: report the disclosure of personal information to HMRC's security team using the service linked from the GOV.UK scam guidance.
- You lost money: report it to Report Fraud through its website. If you live in Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101 instead.
Citizens Advice can give free help if you have been scammed and are not sure what to do next.
Related guides
- How do I report a scam email or text?
- What is the HMRC phone number?
- What is the HMRC app?
- How do I claim a tax refund?
Where this comes from
Get it done
This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.
Report an HMRC scamCommon questions
Does HMRC send texts about tax refunds?
Official sources
- 1.Identify tax scam phone calls, emails and text messages (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/guidance/identify-hmrc-related-scam-phone-calls-emails-and-text-messages
- 2.Report suspicious emails, texts and phone calls (HMRC contact)www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/reporting-fraudulent-emails
- 3.Check if a text message from HMRC is genuine (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-a-text-message-youve-received-from-hmrc-is-genuine
Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026
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