HMRC issues warning amid 'January 31' deadline

HM Revenue and Customs has warned of scam attempts targeting Self Assessment customers as the January 31 tax return deadline draws closer. With millions of people due to complete their tax return and pay any tax owed by the end of January 2025, fraudsters are targeting people with offers of tax refunds or demanding payment of tax - all to get their hands on personal information and banking details.

Self Assessment filers are warned to be alert to fraudsters, as concerned customers reported nearly 150,000 scam referrals to HMRC in the last year. Around half of all scam reports (71,832) in the last year were fake tax rebate claims.

There has been a 16.7% increase in all scam referrals to HMRC in recent times. Some 144,298 of these were received between November 2023 and October 2024, up from 123, 596 in the previous 12-month period.

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The HMRC has advised anyone who receives communication - claiming to be from HMRC - asking for their personal information or offering a tax rebate to check the advice on GOV.UK. HMRC will never leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest or ask for personal or financial information over text message - tactics commonly used by scammers and frauds.

Kelly Paterson, Chief Security Officer at HMRC, said: “With millions of people filing their Self Assessment return before January’s deadline, we’re warning everyone to be wary of emails promising tax refunds.

“Being vigilant helps you spot potential scams. And reporting anything suspicious helps us stop criminal activity and to protect you and others who could have received similar bogus communication. Our advice remains unchanged. Don’t rush into anything, take your time and check ‘HMRC scams advice’ on GOV.UK.”

HMRC will not contact you by email, text, or phone to announce a refund or ask you to request one. Anyone who is due a refund from HMRC can claim it via their online HMRC account or the free and secure HMRC app.

You can report any phishing attempts to HMRC by forwarding emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, reporting tax scam phone calls to HMRC on GOV.UK, or forwarding suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599.