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UK scam guide · updated 27 September 2026

HMRC scam texts, calls and emails

Fake HMRC contact comes in three forms: texts and emails offering a tax refund through a link, automated calls saying HMRC is filing a lawsuit and to “press 1”, and callers threatening arrest over unpaid tax. HMRC publishes what it will never do, and runs its own reporting addresses.

What it looks like

  • “You are eligible for a tax refund” or “rebate” with a link to claim it
  • An automated call: HMRC is filing a lawsuit against you, press 1 to speak to a caseworker
  • Threats of arrest, legal action or a penalty unless you pay today
  • Payment by gift card, voucher, bank transfer to a named person, or crypto
  • A link that isn't gov.uk, or a WhatsApp message “from HMRC”

What the real organisations say

  • “You'll never get an email, text message, message in an application (for example WhatsApp) or a phone call from HMRC which: tells you about a tax rebate or penalty / asks for your personal or payment information”

  • “HMRC will never: leave a voicemail threatening legal action / threaten arrest”

  • “HMRC will never ask you to pay with gift or payment vouchers.”

  • “HMRC is aware of an automated phone call scam which will tell you HMRC is filing a lawsuit against you, and to press 1 to speak to a caseworker to make a payment. This is a scam”

  • “HMRC will not communicate with you for any other reason using WhatsApp.”

What our visitors report

From scam reports, community threads and caller verdicts left on this site that match this scam. These are user reports, not verified findings.

Reports on this site
14
Last 90 days
8+33% vs previous 90
Latest report
6 Oct 2026

In the last 30 days, 11 messages or numbers run through our scam checker matched this scam’s pattern.

Reports per month

  1. 3May
  2. 2Jun
  3. 4Jul
  4. 3Aug
  5. 0Sept
  6. 2Oct

Latest reported examples

  • CallCaller verdict· 6 Oct 2026· 07782 996501

    Auto-voice claimed to be HMRC (in a US accent) and that had received back undelivered letter mailed to my address, asking me to press 1 to speak to agent, so hung up.

  • CallCaller verdict· 6 Oct 2026· 07424 039893

    Claimed to be HMRC press 1 or you will be fined

  • CallCommunity report· 21 Aug 2026· 07397 958234

    Scam HMRC call

    07397958234 a bot call, said they were from HMRC and to wait for an operator, then the call was disconnected. HMRC dont call from a mobile number so I was instantly suspicious and turned off my phone for a bit afterwards.

    Read the full report

  • CallCommunity report· 17 Aug 2026· 07806 917206

    Tax scam

    Automated female voice with US accent claimed to be from HER (yes her) Majesty's Revenue & Customs calling regarding an urgent letter they sent last week. I hung up before any further info.

    Read the full report

  • CallCaller verdict· 17 Aug 2026· 07806 917206

    Automated voice, female with US accent, said urgent from HER Majesty's Revenue & Customs regarding an urgent letter they set last week.

  • CallCaller verdict· 31 Jul 2026· 07777 144135

    They pretend to be HMRC and say there is a fraud case against you

Numbers reported for this scam

What to do

  1. 1

    Forward scam texts to 60599

    HMRC's own number for scam texts (charged at your network rate). You can also forward to 7726.

    GOV.UK: Report HMRC scams ↗
  2. 2

    Forward scam emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk

    For WhatsApp or other app messages, take a screenshot and email it to the same address.

  3. 3

    Check anything real in your HMRC account

    Sign in through GOV.UK yourself. HMRC's check-a-text page lists the texts it genuinely sends.

    GOV.UK: Check if an HMRC text is genuine ↗
  4. 4

    Paid or gave details?

    HMRC's advice is to report it to Report Fraud, or to Police Scotland on 101 if you live in Scotland, and to call your bank.

    Report Fraud (replaced Action Fraud on 4 Dec 2025) ↗

Had one? Report it

Your report helps the next person who checks the same message, link or number. It’s published as a visitor report after our daily moderation.

What did you get?

Before saving we automatically remove names, phone numbers other than the scammer’s, email addresses, postcodes, street addresses, and card, sort-code and account numbers, and we keep only the host of any link. Please name only the organisation the scammer pretended to be; don’t accuse a real business or person. See our privacy notice.

HMRC scams: FAQs

Does HMRC text you about tax refunds?

HMRC says you'll never get an email, text, app message or phone call from it that tells you about a tax rebate or penalty or asks for your personal or payment information. A refund text with a link is a scam.

Is the “press 1, HMRC is filing a lawsuit” call real?

No. HMRC lists the automated “filing a lawsuit against you, press 1 to speak to a caseworker” call as a known scam. HMRC will never leave a voicemail threatening legal action or threaten arrest.

Where do I forward an HMRC scam text or email?

Texts to 60599 (charged at your network rate) and emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Screenshots of WhatsApp or app messages go to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk too.

Does HMRC use WhatsApp?

HMRC says it will not communicate with you using WhatsApp, apart from one-way alerts from the UK Government Channel.

Can HMRC ask me to pay with vouchers or gift cards?

No. HMRC says it will never ask you to pay with gift or payment vouchers.

How many HMRC scams have been reported on WhoCalledLookup?

14 visitor reports on this site match this scam, 8 of them in the last 90 days; the latest was on 6 October 2026. They are user reports, not verified findings.

Sources (checked 26 September 2026)

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