HMRC issues new scams warning

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a new warning for people to be on the lookout for scam texts, emails and phone calls from fraudsters.

The scams take different approaches. Some offer a rebate; others tell customers that they need to update their tax details or threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion.

This warning comes as HMRC reveals it has 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.

Around 12 million people are expected to submit a self assessment tax return before the latest deadline of January 31, 2024.

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.”

People can report any suspicious communications to HMRC in the following ways:

• 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.

In the 12 months to September 2023, HMRC says it has responded to 60,000 reports of phone scams alone and got 25,000 malicious web pages taken down.
• To discuss any issues raised by this article please contact me on 01772 430000