Watch out for self-assessment scams

People who need to submit a self-assessment tax return have been urged to watch out for possible scams.

Fraudsters are targeting unsuspecting people with fake demands and attempts to pressure them into sharing their personal details.

So HMRC is reminding anyone who needs to file their self-assessment before the 31 January deadline to be vigilant.

What tactics are scammers using?

Fraudsters often contact people via:

• email
  text message
  phone call

Their messages may claim you owe tax, are due a refund, or face penalties - all designed to make you panic and act without thinking.

What red flags should I watch out for?

There are many signs that a phone call, email or text message might not be what they seem.

For instance, it could be a scam if it:

• rushes you
• is threatening
• is unexpected
• asks for personal information like bank details
• tells you to transfer money
• offers a refund, tax rebate or grant

But HMRC has stressed that it will never:

• leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest
• ask for personal of financial information via text or email
• contact you via email, text or phone to let you know about a refund or ask you to claim one

What can I do to protect myself?

To reduce your chances of falling victim to a scam, the HMRC recommends:

• using strong, unique passwords for your accounts
• stopping and thinking before giving away personal information or money
• not responding to unexpected calls, texts or emails
• not clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources
• not blindly trusting the caller ID, as this can be spoofed

How can I report a potential scam?

If you believe you’ve been contacted by fraudsters:

• forward emails to [email protected]
• report tax scam phone calls to HMRC on GOV.UK
• forward suspicious text messages to 60599 

Full HMRC guidance on scams is available on GOV.UK, including a list of genuine HMRC contacts to help you decide if the message you’ve received is real.