Is a text message from HMRC or the IRS saying I have a tax refund waiting a scam?
Yes. Tax authorities do not notify refunds via text message with a link to click. These are phishing texts designed to steal your bank or personal details.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Tax refund text scams are timed around peak filing and assessment periods when many people are genuinely expecting refunds. The message typically claims a refund has been processed and provides a link to a form where you enter your bank account details to receive the payment, or it mimics an official login page to harvest your tax account credentials.
Some versions claim you owe a small additional amount before a larger refund can be processed, combining an advance-fee element with the phishing component. Others direct you to a page where you are asked to verify your national insurance number, date of birth, or other personal information.
HMRC in the UK, the IRS in the US, and most other tax authorities communicate refunds through post, official online account portals, or bank direct credit — never through unsolicited text messages with links. HMRC specifically publishes guidance stating it will never text links asking you to claim a refund.
If you are due a refund, log in to your tax account directly through the official government website. Your refund status will be visible there without clicking any external link.
Common red flags
- Text claims you have a refund and includes a link to click
- Link leads to a form asking for bank account details or login credentials
- Message creates urgency — 'claim within 24 hours or it expires'
- Sent from an unknown number, not an official shortcode
- Message contains spelling errors or unusual phrasing
- Asks for more personal information than a refund payment would require
What to do now
- Do not click the link
- Forward the text to your tax authority's official phishing number (e.g. 60599 for HMRC in the UK)
- Delete the message after reporting it
- Check your genuine refund status on the official tax authority website
- If you already entered bank details, contact your bank immediately
- Report to your national cybersecurity agency
Frequently asked questions
Does HMRC ever text me?
HMRC does send some notification texts, but they never contain links asking you to enter bank details or personal information. If in doubt, log in to your government gateway account directly.
What if the amount mentioned matches what I am genuinely owed?
Scam messages are sometimes personalised using data from previous breaches. A correctly stated refund amount does not confirm the message is legitimate.