Self Assessment customers are urged to be on the lookout for scam texts, emails, and phone calls from fraudsters.

This warning comes as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) received more than 130,000 reports about tax scams in the 12 months to September 2023, of which 58,000 were offering fake tax rebates.

With around 12 million people expected to submit a self-assessment tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year before the 31 January 2024 deadline, fraudsters will prey on customers by impersonating HMRC.

The scams take different approaches. Some offer a rebate; others tell customers that they need to update their tax details or threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:  

“HMRC is reminding customers to be wary of approaches by fraudsters in the run-up to the Self Assessment deadline. Criminals are great pretenders who try and dupe people by sending emails, phone calls, and texts that mimic government messages to make them appear authentic.

“Unexpected contacts like these should set alarm bells ringing, so take your time and check HMRC scams advice on GOV.UK.”

Customers can report any suspicious communications to HMRC:

• forward suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599
• forward emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk
• report tax scam phone calls to HMRC on UK

HMRC works to protect the public from scammers. In the 12 months to September 2023, HMRC has responded to 60,000 reports of phone scams alone and got 25,000 malicious web pages taken down.

Customers do not need to wait until 31 January before filing their tax return, they can submit it before then but do not have to pay until the deadline unless they choose to.