Fake HMRC Scams in the United Kingdom
How fraudsters impersonate HMRC through phone calls, SMS, and emails to extort tax debt payments or harvest self-assessment login credentials from UK taxpayers.
Part of: Fake Tax Office Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
HMRC impersonation is consistently one of the most reported fraud types in the United Kingdom. The tax authority's widespread public recognition, combined with the anxiety that official-seeming tax debt notifications generate, makes it one of the most effective impersonation brands for scammers.
Action Fraud and HMRC itself issue frequent public warnings, particularly around self-assessment deadlines in January and July, when taxpayer anxiety is highest and scammer activity surges.
How this scam works on United Kingdom
Robocall campaigns deliver automated messages claiming HMRC has issued a warrant for the recipient's arrest for unpaid tax debt and instructing them to press a number to speak with an officer. Live agents then demand immediate payment via gift cards, bank transfer, or cryptocurrency to avoid arrest.
SMS phishing sends messages claiming the recipient is due a tax refund that requires bank detail confirmation via a link — which leads to a spoofed HMRC portal that harvests banking credentials. These campaigns surge in the weeks following tax filing deadlines when genuine refunds are being processed.
Email phishing clones the HMRC Government Gateway login page to harvest self-assessment credentials, which are then used to redirect legitimate refunds or file fraudulent claims.
Common red flags
- Robocall claiming HMRC has issued an arrest warrant for unpaid tax
- SMS claiming you are entitled to a tax refund requiring bank detail confirmation via a link
- Caller requesting payment by gift card, Bitcoin, or cash to clear a tax debt
- Email requesting you confirm your Government Gateway login via a linked page
- Urgency around payment before end-of-day to avoid arrest or legal proceedings
How to protect yourself
- Access HMRC only via gov.uk/hmrc — never via links in SMS or email
- HMRC never demands immediate payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, or cash
- Enable two-step verification on your Government Gateway account
- Forward suspicious HMRC emails to [email protected]
- Forward suspicious HMRC texts to 60599
How to report it
- Report phishing to HMRC at [email protected] (email) or 60599 (SMS)
- Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040
- Contact your bank immediately if bank details were entered on a fake HMRC page
Frequently asked questions
Does HMRC ever contact people by phone about tax debts?
HMRC does make outbound calls in some circumstances, but will never demand immediate payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, or transfer during a cold call, and will never threaten immediate arrest. HMRC provides advance written notice before serious enforcement action. Always verify any HMRC contact by calling the official HMRC number at 0300 200 3300.