HMRC scam calls
HMRC impersonation is one of the most common phone scams in the UK. Fraudsters use threats of arrest and urgent payment demands to exploit fear of the tax authority.
HMRC will never do these things
- ✗Threaten you with immediate arrest over the phone
- ✗Demand payment by gift cards, iTunes vouchers, cryptocurrency or wire transfer
- ✗Leave an automated voicemail threatening arrest or legal action
- ✗Ask you to press 1 to speak to a tax officer about a warrant
- ✗Tell you to keep the call secret from your family or accountant
- ✗Ask for your bank details over the phone to process a refund
What HMRC will do
- ✓Send letters and correspondence by post before making contact by phone
- ✓Allow you to verify their identity by calling HMRC back on an official number
- ✓Give you time to seek advice from an accountant or tax adviser
- ✓Never demand immediate same-day payment under threat of arrest
- ✓Have your details on file, so they will not need to verify basic identity information from scratch
How the scam works
Automated voicemail threat
An automated message claims that HMRC has issued a warrant for your arrest due to unpaid tax. It instructs you to press 1 or call a number to "speak to an officer". This is always a scam. HMRC does not leave arrest warrant voicemails..
Live caller impersonation
A caller claims to be an HMRC officer and says you owe back tax. They create urgency ("payment must be made today to avoid prosecution") and demand payment via gift cards, bank transfer or cryptocurrency. They may know your name, address or employer from data obtained in a breach.
Tax refund phishing
A caller or text claims HMRC owes you a refund, but needs your bank details to process it. HMRC will always use your verified bank details from your Self Assessment return. They never collect them over the phone..
Number spoofing
The caller's number may appear to be HMRC's genuine helpline (0300 200 3300) on your caller ID. This is called number spoofing: a displayed number does not prove who is calling..
Official HMRC contact numbers
Always find HMRC numbers at gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs, and never use a number given to you by a caller.
How to report fake HMRC calls
Report phishing emails and texts
Forward suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Forward suspicious texts to 7726.
Report phone scams to Action Fraud
Report at reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040 (Mon–Fri, 8am–8pm).
Report here
Search the number and leave a report on WhoIsCalling to warn other people.
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