Please be aware of Self Assessment scammers that will try to steal money or personal information.
As the Self Assessment deadline approaches, you may expect to hear from HMRC at this time of year - meaning you need to be extra vigilant.
Emails and SMS will be issued this week to Self Assessment customers pointing them to guidance and support, prompting them to think about how they intend to pay their tax bill, and to seek support if they are unable to pay in full by 31 January.
However, HMRC is also warning customers to not be taken in by malicious emails, phone calls or texts, thinking that these are genuine HMRC communications referring to their Self Assessment tax return.
Here are some tips to remember:
Never let yourself be rushed. If someone contacts you saying they’re from HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard.
HMRC will also never ring up threatening arrest. Only criminals do that.
Be aware scams come in many forms. Some threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion, others offer a tax rebate.
How to check if the suspected scam is genuine
If you are in any doubt whether the email, phone call or text is genuine, you can check the ‘HMRC scams’ advice on GOV.UK.
How to report scams to HMRC
You can report suspicious phone calls using a form on GOV.UK.
You can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599.
Almost 800,000 tax-related scams were reported in the last 12 months.
The Self Assessment deadline for 2020 to 2021 tax returns is 31 January 2022.
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