HMRC scam text: check fake tax refund links
HMRC scam texts usually promise a tax refund, rebate, urgent payment update or Self Assessment problem. The message feels official because it is tax-related, but the link often leads to a fake form designed to steal personal and banking details.
Use this guide to check the warning signs, report the message to HMRC, and decide what to do if you already opened the link or entered details.
Last reviewed: 18 July 2026. Author: ScanLens. Source review: official guidance listed below.
Quick answer: is this HMRC refund text fake?
Be very careful with any text that says you must use a link to claim a tax refund, verify bank details, avoid a penalty or unlock a payment. HMRC says suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC can be forwarded to 60599, and suspicious emails can be sent to [email protected].
- Do not enter banking details through a text-message link.
- Check tax messages by going to GOV.UK or your HMRC account manually.
- Do not reply with personal information, National Insurance details or one-time codes.
How the scam works
- Claims you are owed a tax refund or rebate.
- Uses official-sounding language to build trust.
- Sends you to a fake government-style form.
- Collects personal, tax, and bank details.
- May create urgency with a deadline or final notice.
Common signs it may be fake
- The link is not an official government domain.
- The message asks for banking details to release a refund.
- The refund appears without context or prior contact.
- The page requests excessive personal information.
- The wording pressures you to act today.
How to check if a link is safe
Never click suspicious links directly. The safest move is to copy the URL and scan it first with a phishing link checker or scam URL scanner.
This article page does not run direct API scans because public scanning requires verification. Clicking the button opens the main ScanLens web scanner, where you can check if a link is safe before opening it.
What to do if it looks like a scam
- Do not use the link in the message.
- Check your tax account by going to the official government website manually.
- Do not enter bank details into a form from a text message.
- Report suspicious tax messages as phishing.
- Scan any unknown refund link with ScanLens first.
If you already entered details
- Contact your bank immediately if you entered card or bank details.
- Change any password you entered on the fake page.
- Watch for follow-up calls pretending to be HMRC, your bank or a fraud team.
- Keep screenshots and report the message to HMRC.
Official HMRC reporting
HMRC publishes current guidance for suspicious tax texts, emails, social media accounts and phone calls. Use the official GOV.UK pages if you need the latest reporting route.
Safer habit
If a message says your account has a problem, never solve it through the link inside the message. Go to the official site manually or use a scanner first.
Even a safe-looking domain can be used for redirection, imitation, or social engineering.
Real example of this scam
Example text message:
A refund message that asks for bank details through a link should be treated as suspicious.
Scam category
This guide is part of the Bank scams hub. Use the category page to compare similar scams and warning signs.
View Bank scamsFAQ
Are HMRC refund texts always fake?
Not every tax-related message is automatically fake, but you should never trust a refund link without verifying it through the official government website.
What details do HMRC scammers want?
They commonly want your name, address, date of birth, National Insurance details, bank details, or card information.
How should I check a tax refund message?
Go to the official government website manually and sign in from there. Do not use the link from the message.
What if I entered my bank details?
Contact your bank immediately and monitor your account for suspicious activity.
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