HMRC Scam Calls and Texts: Spot and Report Them
If a call, text or email claiming to be from HMRC rushes you, threatens you or offers a refund, treat it as a scam until proven otherwise. To report it, forward texts to 60599, forward emails to [email protected], and use HMRC's online form for phone calls. Then delete the message.
Warning signs
GOV.UK says a scam message typically does one or more of these:
- rushes you or pressures you to act quickly
- is threatening or unexpected
- asks for personal or bank details
- tells you to transfer money
- offers a refund, tax rebate or grant
What HMRC says it will and won't do
- Phone: HMRC will never leave a voicemail threatening legal action, or threaten arrest.
- Texts: HMRC does sometimes text customers, and these may include a link to GOV.UK or HMRC webchat. Do not open links or reply to a text that offers a tax refund in exchange for personal or financial details.
- Email: HMRC will only email about a tax rebate, or ask for personal or payment information, from an address that ends in hmrc.gov.uk. Even then, treat anything unexpected with caution and check the official list of genuine contacts on GOV.UK.
- Social media: HMRC will never use social media to offer a tax rebate or ask for personal or financial information.
- WhatsApp: HMRC only sends occasional reminders through the UK Government Channel, which you have to subscribe to. It will not contact you on WhatsApp for any other reason.
- Payment: HMRC will never ask you to pay with gift or payment vouchers.
Scammers can fake the number that appears on your screen, so a caller ID showing an official-looking number proves nothing. Ofcom confirms that scammers can change their caller ID to look like a bank, HMRC or another trusted organisation.
How to report a suspicious HMRC message
| What you received | What to do |
|---|---|
| Text message | Forward to 60599 (standard network charges apply), then delete it |
| Forward to [email protected], then delete it | |
| Phone call | Use the "Report a suspicious HMRC phone call" form on GOV.UK. You will need to give your email address or sign in |
| Social media account | Email the account name and platform to [email protected] and do not reply |
The full details are on GOV.UK's page to report suspicious HMRC emails, texts, social media accounts and phone calls. For the call form, include the date, the number used and what was said.
You can also forward any suspicious text to 7726, which is free, so your mobile provider can investigate the number.
If you have already replied, shared details or paid
- Report the disclosure to HMRC's security team through the GOV.UK reporting page if you shared personal details.
- Contact your bank straight away using the number on your card or in its app, or dial 159 if your bank supports it, if you gave out bank details or sent money.
- Report the fraud to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040.
Do not feel embarrassed. These scams are designed to catch careful people at busy moments, especially around Self Assessment deadlines.
Check before you answer
If you are unsure, hang up, wait, and find HMRC's number yourself on GOV.UK rather than using one the caller gave. Not every unknown 01482 call is a scam either; our page on genuine Hull phone numbers may help. More warnings are in our scam alerts.
Checked on 6 November 2026 against GOV.UK's guidance on identifying and reporting HMRC-related scams, GOV.UK's guidance on reporting phishing, and Ofcom's advice on number spoofing.