HMRC Related Phishing Emails, Suspicious Phone Calls and Texts Messages

Please be aware of scam emails, fake letters, bogus text messages and phone calls claiming to be from HMRC.

It’s a scammers favourite time of year. The last push to deceive those who have yet to complete their Self-Assessment return. They will try every trick in the book to urge and panic you to part with your personal and financial information. So be extra vigilant and think carefully before you respond to any correspondence you think you may have received from HMRC.

If you have received an email stating that you have started a Self-Assessment return online and are being persuaded to finalise it early, before the end of January 2022, please be aware that these are potential scam/fake emails and need to be reported.

The emails will encourage you to click on their links to see how much you need to pay.

DO NOT CLICK ON ANY OF THEIR LINKS!!!

These links could lead you to a fake website or even contain malicious software. Even if the address they give for the Gov.uk website looks the same, this is not always the case. Always go to a fresh internet page and type in the address yourself in the search engine.

Here at EasyBooks we DO NOT have half-finished returns on HMRC.

If you receive any emails, letters, text massages suggesting otherwise DO NOT click on any of the links or attempt to pay anything.

If you have any suspicions you can go through the Gov.uk website or give us a call at the office. We would rather you checked with us and be safe than feel pressured into something and be caught out. 

Safe Links – Advice from the Gov.uk website

Scam Emails   – Gov.uk says…

HMRC will never send notifications by email about tax rebates or refunds.

Do not:

• visit the website
• open any attachments
• disclose any personal or payment information

Fraudsters may spoof a genuine email address or change the ‘display name’ to make it appear genuine. If you are unsure, forward it to us and then delete it.

Fake Text Messages – Gov.uk says…

HMRC will never ask for personal or financial information when we send text messages.

Do not reply if you get a text message claiming to be from HMRC offering you a tax refund in exchange for personal or financial details.

Do not open any links in the message.

Send any phishing text messages to 60599 (network charges apply) or email phishing@hmrc.gov.uk then delete it.

Ways to Spot a Scam  – Gov.uk says…

It could be a scam if it:

• is unexpected
• offers a refund, tax rebate or grant
• asks for personal information like bank details
• is threatening
• tells you to transfer money

Press release – HMRC warns customers about Self-Assessment tricksters. Read about it here