18/12/2025
HMRC Warns Of 4,800 Self Assessment Scams As Deadline Nears
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a fresh alert after more than 4,800 Self Assessment-related scams were reported since February 2025.
Criminals are sending fake tax demands and using intimidating tactics to trick people into sharing personal details, particularly at times when taxpayers expect to hear from HMRC.
Over the past 10 months, customers have flagged more than 135,500 suspected HMRC scams, including around 29,000 referencing bogus tax refund offers.
With the Self Assessment deadline for filing 2024 to 2025 returns and paying any tax due falling on 31 January 2026, HMRC is urging people to verify whether emails, text messages or phone calls are genuine via GOV.UK. Returns can be filed online through GOV.UK.
Lucy Pike, HMRC's Chief Security Officer, said: "Millions of people file a tax return each year and scammers mimic HMRC to try and catch unsuspecting victims out.
"I'm urging people to stay vigilant and if any emails, text messages or phone calls appear suspicious – don't be lured into clicking on links or sharing your personal information – report it directly to HMRC. Just search 'report an HMRC scam' on GOV.UK to find out more."
HMRC says it has acted quickly to dismantle nearly 25,000 fraudulent websites and phone numbers in the last 10 months.
The department reiterates it will never leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest; ask for personal or financial information via text message or email; or contact customers by email, text, or phone to inform them about a refund or ask them to claim one.
Anyone receiving suspicious contact can forward emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, send texts to 60599, and report scam phone calls via GOV.UK. More information on reporting scam activity is available on GOV.UK.
Criminals are sending fake tax demands and using intimidating tactics to trick people into sharing personal details, particularly at times when taxpayers expect to hear from HMRC.
Over the past 10 months, customers have flagged more than 135,500 suspected HMRC scams, including around 29,000 referencing bogus tax refund offers.
With the Self Assessment deadline for filing 2024 to 2025 returns and paying any tax due falling on 31 January 2026, HMRC is urging people to verify whether emails, text messages or phone calls are genuine via GOV.UK. Returns can be filed online through GOV.UK.
Lucy Pike, HMRC's Chief Security Officer, said: "Millions of people file a tax return each year and scammers mimic HMRC to try and catch unsuspecting victims out.
HMRC says it has acted quickly to dismantle nearly 25,000 fraudulent websites and phone numbers in the last 10 months.
The department reiterates it will never leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest; ask for personal or financial information via text message or email; or contact customers by email, text, or phone to inform them about a refund or ask them to claim one.
Anyone receiving suspicious contact can forward emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, send texts to 60599, and report scam phone calls via GOV.UK. More information on reporting scam activity is available on GOV.UK.
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17 October 2023
HMRC Warn Self Assessment Customers Of Increase In Scams
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning to Self Assessment customers to be on the lookout for scam texts, emails and phone calls from fraudsters. The warning comes as 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.
HMRC Warn Self Assessment Customers Of Increase In Scams
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning to Self Assessment customers to be on the lookout for scam texts, emails and phone calls from fraudsters. The warning comes as 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.
14 December 2017
Former HMRC Worker Sentenced For Tax Credit Fraud
A former HMRC worker who lied about being a single parent to claim tax credits has been handed a suspended sentence. Laura Southern worked as a HMRC Benefits and Credits Compliance Manager in Belfast, where her role was to check for fraudulent tax credit claims. Between 2012 and 2017 she fraudulently claimed £34,209.
Former HMRC Worker Sentenced For Tax Credit Fraud
A former HMRC worker who lied about being a single parent to claim tax credits has been handed a suspended sentence. Laura Southern worked as a HMRC Benefits and Credits Compliance Manager in Belfast, where her role was to check for fraudulent tax credit claims. Between 2012 and 2017 she fraudulently claimed £34,209.
23 June 2017
Police Issue Warning Over Bogus HMRC Telephone Calls
Police have issued a warning to residents living in north and west Belfast to be aware of bogus HMRC telephone calls. Victims of the scam received phone calls from both men and women claiming that their records show they owe money for taxes unpaid and inform them that they are committing offences if they do not pay.
Police Issue Warning Over Bogus HMRC Telephone Calls
Police have issued a warning to residents living in north and west Belfast to be aware of bogus HMRC telephone calls. Victims of the scam received phone calls from both men and women claiming that their records show they owe money for taxes unpaid and inform them that they are committing offences if they do not pay.
23 January 2026
Eight Days Left To File Self Assessment
HMRC is urging anyone who still needs to complete a Self Assessment return to file now, with eight days remaining until the 31 January deadline and an automatic £100 penalty for those who miss it. So far, 8.6 million people have submitted returns for the 2024 to 2025 tax year. Last year, more than 11.5 million filed on time; around 3.
Eight Days Left To File Self Assessment
HMRC is urging anyone who still needs to complete a Self Assessment return to file now, with eight days remaining until the 31 January deadline and an automatic £100 penalty for those who miss it. So far, 8.6 million people have submitted returns for the 2024 to 2025 tax year. Last year, more than 11.5 million filed on time; around 3.
13 May 2025
HMRC Reminds Parents To Extend Child Benefit For 16-19 Year Olds
Parents of 16 to 19-year-olds are being reminded by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to extend their Child Benefit claim by 31st August if their child is continuing in full-time education or approved training, to prevent payments from stopping automatically.
HMRC Reminds Parents To Extend Child Benefit For 16-19 Year Olds
Parents of 16 to 19-year-olds are being reminded by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to extend their Child Benefit claim by 31st August if their child is continuing in full-time education or approved training, to prevent payments from stopping automatically.
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