HMRC issues scam warning

Those filing tax returns are urged to be on the lookout for scam texts, emails and phone calls from fraudsters. This warning comes as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) received more than 130,000 reports about tax scams in the 12 months to September 2023, of which 58,000 were offering fake tax rebates.

With around 12 million people expected to submit a tax return for the 2022/2023 tax year before the 31 January 2024 deadline, the potential for fraud is high.

Scammers take different approaches. Some offer a rebate, others tell tax payers that they need to update their tax details or threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said

‘HMRC is reminding customers to be wary of approaches by fraudsters in the run up to the self assessment deadline. Criminals are great pretenders who try and dupe people by sending emails, phone calls and texts which mimic government messages to make them appear authentic.’

Unexpected contacts like these should set alarm bells ringing, so take your time and check HMRC scams advice on GOV.UK.

Customers can report any suspicious communications to HMRC:

• forward suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599
• forward emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
• report tax scam phone calls to HMRC on GOV.UK.
• HMRC works to protect the public from scammers. In the 12 months to September 2023, HMRC has responded to 60,000 reports of phone scams alone and got 25,000 malicious web pages taken down.

If you ever have any questions about what you are entitled to with regards to your tax return you can always check with your Swindells partner.