With the self-assessment tax return deadline looming, it’s vital that you’re on high alert due to increased activity of scammers.
Self-Assessment
If you are required to file a self-assessment tax return, you must do so before 31st January 2023 in order to avoid incurring any penalties for late filing.
If you are unsure whether you’re required to file a self-assessment, click here.
Phone Calls
At this time of year, with the self-assessment deadline round the corner, more people are likely to fall victim to HMRC scams. Scammers are clever, and they use a variety of methods to try to catch you off guard.
One way in which they may pose as HMRC is via phone calls and voicemails.
A common scam is a phone call wherein an automated voice tells you that HMRC is filing a lawsuit against you and you must press 1 to speak to a caseworker. This is a scam. If you receive this call, make sure you hang up.
In fact, a good rule of thumb is that if you are ever unsure about the legitimacy of a phone call, hang up and contact the official number. You can find the genuine contact details of HMRC by clicking here.
Text Messages and Emails
A common trick used by scammers is to pose as HMRC via email or text and send a link for you to click on. Make sure that you don’t follow these links as they may take you to a fake page where your bank details and personal information can be copied and stolen when you input it.
HMRC will never ask you for any personal or financial information via text. They will also never notify you by email or text about being eligible for a tax rebate or penalty.
Social Media
HMRC will never use social media to offer a tax rebate or inform you of a tax penalty. They will also never request personal or financial information from you via their social media.
Many scams also occur through WhatsApp. Again, HMRC will never use WhatsApp, or other social media, to start communication with you.
Reporting HMRC Scams
If you do fall victim to a scam, make sure you ring your bank immediately and then report the details of the scam to Action Fraud.
If you receive any suspicious correspondence by someone claiming to be HMRC, you can report it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
If you receive a suspicious text message, you can alternatively forward it to 60599.
Suspicious phone calls can also be reported here.