HMRC email and text warning with personal details at serious risk over looming deadline

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) customers are being urged to avoid malicious scams as the self-assessment deadline rapidly approaches. Millions of people are set to complete their Self Assessment tax return and pay any tax they owe to HMRC by January 31.

With the risk of running a £100 penalty fee, those who need to submit a tax return are being urged to do so before the deadline passes. However, customers should also remain vigilant of fradusters taking advantage of the tax return period to steal personal information.

Some have been reported by HMRC to be targeting people, offering tax refunds or demanding that they issue a payment of tax. While fraudsters can often be convincing to unassuming victims, the true aim of these targeted messages is to get hold of personal and banking information. It comes as data from HMRC revealed that half of all scam reports in the previous year were fake tax rebate claims.

Official guidance states that HMRC will never contact claimants by email, text, or phone to announce that they are owed a refund or urging them to request a refund. If a claimant is due a tax refund from HMRC, they can instead check and make a claim for it through their online account or through the HMRC app.

HMRC also highlighted that if a phone calls, text message, or email checks with the following list, then it might be a scam:

HMRC also has a strict policy of never leaving a voicemail threatening legal action or threatening arrest. It's important to note that not all text messages claiming to be from HMRC are illegitimate.

HMRC will sometimes leave text messages ot its customers which can also sometimes include a link to GOV.UK or HMRC webchat. Despite this, customers are not advised to press on any links involved