HMRC Issues Fresh Warning as Self Assessment Scams Persist

As the Self Assessment tax season gradually approaches, HMRC has issued a renewed warning to millions of taxpayers across the UK to remain vigilant amid a sustained wave of fraud and deception. The department has reported more than 170,000 instances of attempted scams targeting Self Assessment customers between August 2024 and July 2025, underlining the persistence and adaptability of fraudsters.

While that figure marks a 12% reduction from the previous year, the scale remains significant. Nearly 47,000 of the reports involved scams specifically designed around false tax refund claims. The statistics point to a continuing effort by criminals to exploit seasonal taxpayer behaviour and use impersonation tactics to extract personal and financial information.

Self Assessment Scams: A Sophisticated & Evolving Threat

The most common scams involve messages, usually by email or text, purporting to be from HMRC. These communications may falsely promise tax refunds or demand immediate payments under the threat of legal action. They often contain urgent language designed to create panic and provoke a hasty response.

In reality, HMRC does not initiate contact with taxpayers in this way. The department has made it clear that it will never request sensitive details such as passwords, access codes or bank information through unsolicited texts, emails or phone calls. Nor will it leave voicemails threatening arrest.

Despite repeated public information campaigns, these scams continue to catch people out. What’s more, many are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from legitimate communications, with scammers replicating official branding and using ‘spoofed’ phone numbers or email addresses to lend credibility to their messages.

Kelly Paterson, HMRC’s Chief Security Officer, has emphasised the need for caution, “Scammers target individuals when they know Self Assessment customers are preparing to file their tax returns. We’re urging everyone to stay alert to scam emails and texts offering fake tax refunds. Taking a moment to pause and check can make all the difference.”

Why Self Assessment Customers Are Targeted

The UK’s Self Assessment system applies to more than 12 million taxpayers, including self-employed workers, landlords, company directors and those with multiple sources of income. The online submission deadline of 31 January 2026 gives fraudsters a predictable window in which to mount their attacks.

By posing as HMRC, criminals can prey on people’s unfamiliarity with the department and their expectations around tax matters. A message arriving near the end of the tax year, perhaps referencing a refund or unpaid bill, can seem plausible, especially if it appears timely and official. That is why these kinds of tax scams are so common.

In this context, early filing can offer more than peace of mind. It may also act as a safeguard. Taxpayers who have already submitted their Self Assessment returns are generally less likely to fall for fake refund offers, simply because they know their current tax position.

How HMRC Communicates Legitimately

One of the department’s key messages is clarity around how it contacts customers. According to HMRC:

• It does not send texts or emails offering tax rebates
• It does not use threatening language demanding urgent payments
• It does not ask for personal or financial information through digital messages
• It does issue legitimate tax refunds only through secure online accounts or via the official HMRC app

By understanding these protocols, taxpayers can more confidently assess whether a communication is genuine or deserves to be reported.

How You Can Report Self Assessment Scams

HMRC has streamlined its processes for handling reports of suspicious messages, making it easier for the public to alert the authorities. Taxpayers who receive something questionable are encouraged to report it immediately:

• Suspicious emails should be forwarded to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk
• Suspicious texts can be sent to 60599
• Phone scams should be reported via the GOV.UK website

The department has also published detailed guidance online under “HMRC scams advice,” accessible by searching that phrase on GOV.UK. The advice includes examples of known scam formats, tips for recognising fraudulent messages and steps to take if personal information has already been shared.

The Wider Context

Tax-related fraud is part of a broader pattern of cyber-enabled financial crime affecting both individuals and businesses across the UK. The National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre have each highlighted the growing use of deception techniques, from phishing emails to social engineering, as major threats to the public.

In the context of HMRC, such scams are particularly damaging. They not only cause financial loss but can also undermine public trust in the tax system and in digital government services more generally.

HMRC has responded by investing in its own fraud detection systems and public education campaigns. It has also worked closely with telecommunications providers to block spoofed messages and with internet platforms to remove malicious websites. Still, as technology evolves, the department recognises that awareness among taxpayers remains one of the most important lines of defence.

Staying Safe: Practical Tips

To protect themselves during the Self Assessment season, HMRC recommends that customers:

• File early to reduce the window in which scammers can exploit confusion around tax matters
• Use only official channels such as the HMRC website, the HMRC app, or a qualified tax adviser—for filing and correspondence
• Ignore urgent or threatening language, especially in texts and emails. HMRC communications are formal but not coercive
• Double-check web addresses before entering any personal information. HMRC’s real website always ends in .gov.uk
• Keep passwords and access codes secure and never share them via text or email

Conclusion

With January now only around four months away, the annual cycle of Self Assessment returns becomes a point of focus for taxpayers and, unfortunately, for scammers as well. While HMRC continues to strengthen its systems and public guidance, individuals still need to be proactive in protecting their information and remaining cautious of messages that appear too good or too urgent to be true.

The department’s overarching message is clear: vigilance, not panic. A few moments spent verifying a suspicious message can prevent long-lasting consequences.