HMRC advice to counter spoof emails or texts

HMRC continues to warn of the ever-present problem of fraudulent phishing emails, suspicious phone calls and texts. These unwanted emails, phone calls and texts are being sent from all around the world and the fraudsters are continuing to find new ways to target unsuspecting taxpayers. 

These messages typically look to obtain taxpayers personal and or financial information such as passwords, credit card or bank account details. The phishing emails and texts often include a link to a bogus website encouraging the recipient to enter their personal details.

HMRC recommends that if you have the slightest doubt that an email or text is fake:

• do not open attachments, they could contain a virus
• do not click on links, they could take you to a fake HMRC site
• do not disclose personal/confidential information
• forward suspicious HMRC text messages to 60599 (charged at your network rate)
• forward suspicious emails to the HMRC phishing team at, phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
• check our security guidance: Dealing with HMRC Phishing and scams.

If you have suffered financial loss should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use their online fraud reporting tool.