Fake tax refund messages — by text, email and phone — remain one of the most common scams targeting UK taxpayers, often timed around Self Assessment deadlines or the end of the tax year. This guide explains how to recognise them in 2026/27 and what to do if you have been targeted.
Common Scam Tactics
Scam messages typically claim you are owed a tax refund and ask you to click a link and enter personal or bank details on a fake website designed to look like gov.uk, or ask you to call a number and make an upfront "processing" payment to release a refund — a genuine refund never requires you to pay a fee first.
Timing often follows real HMRC deadlines and events — around the Self Assessment filing deadline, the end of the tax year, or after Budget announcements — because scammers know these are moments people expect genuine tax-related contact and are less likely to question a message closely.
How HMRC Actually Contacts You
HMRC does not notify you of a tax refund by text message or email asking you to click a link and enter bank or card details, and does not ask you to pay an upfront fee to release a refund. Genuine refunds are usually paid directly into a bank account already on file, or via your Personal Tax Account online, or by cheque.
If HMRC does need to contact you about something requiring action, it is typically through official post, or messages that direct you to log into your existing Personal Tax Account or Business Tax Account directly (by typing the address yourself), rather than through a link embedded in an unsolicited text or email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does HMRC ever text or email me about a tax refund?
HMRC does not notify you of a tax refund by text or email with a link asking you to enter personal or bank details — treat any message doing this as highly suspicious, and instead check your genuine tax position by logging into your Personal Tax Account directly through gov.uk.
Would HMRC ever ask me to pay a fee to release a refund?
No, this is a classic scam tactic — a genuine tax refund never requires an upfront payment or "processing fee" from you before it is released, so any message asking for this should be treated as fraudulent.
How can I check if I am genuinely owed a tax refund?
Log into your Personal Tax Account directly through the official gov.uk website (typed in yourself, not via a link in a message) to check your actual tax position, rather than relying on an unsolicited text, email or phone call claiming you are owed money.
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What should I do if I have clicked a scam link and entered my details?
Contact your bank immediately if you have shared financial details, change any passwords that may have been compromised, and report the incident to Action Fraud and HMRC so they can investigate and warn others about the specific scam.
How do I report a suspected HMRC scam message?
You can forward suspicious emails and details of scam texts or calls to HMRC’s dedicated phishing reporting channels, which are listed on gov.uk, helping HMRC track and act against the scammers involved.
Are scam messages always poorly written and easy to spot?
Not necessarily — many modern scams are well designed, using official-looking logos and language, and timed around real tax deadlines, so relying on obvious spelling mistakes alone is not a safe way to identify them; checking directly through your own Personal Tax Account is more reliable.
Can HMRC scam texts or emails come from numbers or addresses that look genuine?
Yes, scammers can spoof sender names and numbers so a message appears to come from "HMRC" even in a genuine-looking thread with previous official texts, so the sender display name alone is not proof a message is real — verify by checking your Personal Tax Account directly instead.
Will HMRC ever call me out of the blue about a refund?
HMRC does sometimes call taxpayers, but it will never ask you to make a payment over the phone using a bank transfer, gift cards or vouchers to release a refund, or ask for your full bank card details — if a caller pressures you for payment or personal details, hang up and check your position via your Personal Tax Account.
What personal information should I never share in response to one of these messages?
Never share your National Insurance number, full bank details, card PIN, online banking passwords, or one-time passcodes in response to an unsolicited text, email or call, since HMRC and your bank will never ask for these through such channels.
Are these scams only aimed at people who complete Self Assessment?
No, anyone can be targeted — including employees on PAYE — since scammers often send generic messages claiming a refund is due regardless of whether the recipient actually files a return, hoping a percentage of recipients will respond without checking.
Disclaimer: This guide reflects UK rules as they generally apply in 2026/27. This guide is for general information only and is not professional advice. Consult a qualified adviser and refer to gov.uk for current official guidance before relying on any treatment.
