HMRC impersonation scams are when scammers pretend to be from His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to trick you. They want to steal your personal information, bank details, or money. Scammers may contact you via a phone call, email, text, or letter.
Follow our top tips to stay safe.
- Check who is contacting you: always make sure the message or call is really from HMRC. They will never ask for personal details, like your bank information, through email or text.
- Take your time: scammers may try to rush you, telling you that you need to pay money right away. Take your time to think. If you’re unsure, contact HMRC using their official contact details.
- Look for clues that it’s a scam: watch out for signs like bad grammar, spelling mistakes, or greetings like "Dear Customer." Official messages are usually personalised with your details.
- Use official ways to contact: always talk to HMRC through their official website or phone number. If you’re unsure about a call or message, contact HMRC directly to check.
- Report scams: if you think a scammer has tried to contact you, tell HMRC about it. You can also call us, using the number on the back of your bank card to get help.
