Beware of Fake Tax Rebate Offers Claiming to Be from HMRC

Taxpayers are frequently targeted by messages claiming that a tax rebate is due. These messages are designed to look official and often appear to come from HMRC.

Understanding how fake tax rebate offers work can help you recognise suspicious contact and avoid responding to messages that are not genuine, particularly where the message has not been verified with a tax consultant in London or another trusted professional.

Avoiding Fraudulent HMRC Refund and Phishing Scams

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 around the world as HMRC and other agencies continue to combat the problem.

These messages aim 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.

For example, taxpayers who completed their tax return for the 2022-23 tax year by the 31 January 2024 deadline might be taken in by an email, phone call or text message offering a tax rebate.

Recipients of phony messages should avoid clicking on any links. HMRC asks that phishing emails and bogus text messages are reported. The emails can be sent to HMRC by email phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk or by text message to 60599.

HMRC responded to 207,800 referrals from the public of suspicious contact in the past year to January – up 14% from the 181,873 reported for the previous 12 months. More than 79,000 of those referrals offered bogus tax rebates.

HMRC is clear that they do not email, text or phone a customer to tell them that they are due a refund or ask them to request a refund. Taxpayers receive repayments into their chosen bank account, and can see any transactions in their online HMRC account and in the HMRC app.

How Fake Tax Rebate Offers Usually Appear

Fake rebate offers commonly arrive as:

• Emails claiming a refund is waiting to be claimed
• Text messages asking you to click a link to receive a rebate
• Messages directing you to websites that closely resemble GOV.UK or HMRC pages

These messages often use official-looking language, reference numbers, or HMRC branding to appear credible.

Common Features of Fake Rebate Messages

Although wording varies, many fake rebate offers:

• Create a sense of urgency to prompt quick action
• Ask you to confirm personal or financial details
• Include links that lead to imitation HMRC websites

HMRC does not contact taxpayers in this way to issue rebates, something a tax specialist in London would immediately recognise as a warning sign.

How to Check Whether a Rebate Offer Is Genuine

If you receive a message about a tax rebate, it is important not to click any links or provide information immediately.

A safer approach is to check your official HMRC online account separately, rather than using contact details or links provided in the message, or to seek clarification from a tax advisor in London if you are unsure.

Why Staying Cautious Matters

Fake tax rebate offers are often timed around key tax periods, when taxpayers may expect contact from HMRC.

Remaining cautious and verifying unexpected messages can help avoid unnecessary confusion and disruption.

HMRC Guidance on Tax Rebate Scams

HMRC provides guidance on recognising and reporting fake tax rebate messages on
GOV.UK.

Have You Received a Suspicious Tax Rebate Offer?

If you’re unsure whether a tax rebate message is genuine, reporting it can help protect you and others from similar scams. For individuals and businesses in Kingston upon Thames and nearby areas such as Surbiton and Norbiton, CIGMA Accounting can help you sense-check suspicious messages and explain the appropriate steps to take if you believe it may be fraudulent.