Fake Tax Refund Scams
Messages claiming you're owed a tax refund to harvest bank details or trick you into 'fees'.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
A fake tax refund scam impersonates the tax authority, claiming you are owed money. The goal is to harvest your bank and identity details or to charge a bogus 'processing fee'.
How it works
You receive an email, text or call saying a refund is waiting. A link leads to a fake tax-authority page asking for bank, card and personal details, which are then used for fraud. Some variants ask for a small fee to 'process' the refund.
Common red flags
- Unexpected refund notification with a link
- Requests for full card or bank login details
- Urgency or a short claim deadline
- A web address that isn't the official tax authority domain
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
HMRC: You are due a tax refund of [amount]. Claim within 24 hours at [fake link].
Payment methods used
- Card details harvested
- Small 'processing' fees
Who is usually targeted
- Taxpayers
- Students
- Newcomers unfamiliar with local tax systems
What to do immediately
- Do not click the link or enter details
- Log in to the tax authority directly using its official website
- Report the message to the tax authority's phishing address
Evidence to preserve
- The message and sender
- The link URL
- Screenshots
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your national tax authority's phishing report channel — Most tax agencies have a dedicated report-phishing email or page
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
How does the real tax authority contact me about refunds?
Most tax authorities notify you through your official online account or by letter, and do not ask for card details or bank logins via text or email links.