HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued an urgent warning to UK households about the rising threat of online scammers. In a post on X on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the tax authority urged the public to remain vigilant, stating: "You wouldn't share your personal information with a stranger in person - don't do it online." The warning highlights that scammers are offering financial rewards in exchange for tax details, putting victims at risk of losing money and having their identity used for fraud.
How to Identify and Report Scams
HMRC advises that individuals should never share personal or financial information in response to unsolicited messages. The authority has provided several channels for reporting suspicious activity. On its website, HMRC lists genuine contact details to help taxpayers verify whether an email, phone call, text, or letter is fraudulent. If you suspect a scam, you can report it directly through HMRC's online services.
For phone scams, there is a dedicated online service to report suspicious HMRC phone calls. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to 60599 (standard network rates apply). HMRC emphasizes that it never sends notifications of tax rebates or requests personal or payment information via text message—any such message is almost certainly a scam.
Email and Social Media Scams
Suspicious emails can be forwarded to HMRC's phishing team at phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. After forwarding, HMRC advises deleting the messages to avoid accidentally clicking on dangerous links. The authority reminds taxpayers that it only emails about tax rebates or requests personal information from email addresses ending in hmrc.gov.uk.
Scammers also target users on social media by creating fake accounts impersonating Government departments, selling counterfeit products, or using other confidence tricks. If you spot a suspicious social media account, you can report it to branddefence@hmrc.gov.uk. HMRC states that it never uses social media to offer tax rebates or request personal or financial information.
Additional Precautions
HMRC notes that it may share your email address and phone number with other organisations to help shut down scams. The authority urges the public to stay alert and report any suspicious activity promptly to protect themselves from financial loss and identity theft.
