HMRC Scam Warning

With the 31 January self assessment deadline fast approaching, HMRC has warned taxpayers to be alert to fraudsters. In the past year, there has been a 16.7% increase in scam referrals to HMRC, with almost 150,000 received in the year to November 2024. A significant proportion of those referrals were fake tax rebate claims. HMRC say that they never ask for personal or financial information via text message, nor will they leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest. If you receive communication claiming to be from HMRC that asks for your personal information or is offering a tax rebate, check the advice on GOV.UK to help identify if it is scam activity (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/identify-hmrc-related-scam-phone-calls-emails-and-text-messages