HMRC Tax Scams
Fake calls claiming you owe taxes or are due a refund. How to spot them and what to do.
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HMRC scam calls are one of the most common phone scams in the UK. You'll get a call, a voicemail, or sometimes a text claiming you owe unpaid tax and that legal action is being taken against you. Some go the other way and tell you you're owed a refund. Either way, the goal is the same: get your personal details or your money.
The real HMRC will never ring you out of the blue and threaten you with arrest. They won't ask for payment over the phone and they certainly won't demand gift cards or bank transfers. If you get one of these calls, hang up. Our guides below cover the most common HMRC scam scripts doing the rounds and what to do if you've already given out your details.
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