HMRC will never text you about a tax refund, threaten you with arrest, or ask you to pay with gift cards or crypto. If a message or caller pushed you to ring a number, check it here first.
Last checked against gov.uk on 1 November 2026.
Sign in at gov.uk, typed yourself. Real messages appear there.
From the App Store or Google Play, published by HM Revenue and Customs.
Free on every UK network.
Yes. It's HMRC's Income Tax helpline, listed on HMRC's own contact page on gov.uk. But a caller showing this number may still be a scammer, because caller ID can be faked. Hang up and call it yourself.
Not if it offers you a refund or asks for your details. In HMRC's words: "HMRC will never send a notification of a tax rebate or ask you to disclose personal or payment information by text message." Don't tap the link. Forward the text to 7726, or to HMRC on 60599, then delete it.
HMRC can phone you, but its own guidance says it will never threaten arrest or leave a voicemail threatening legal action. If a call rushes or scares you, hang up and ring 0300 200 3300 yourself. You can report the call to HMRC on gov.uk.
That's a scam. HMRC says: "HMRC will never ask you to pay with gift or payment vouchers." Don't buy any more, and keep the receipts for your report.
Call your bank now, on the number on the back of your card. Report the scam to Report Fraud, or to Police Scotland on 101 if you live in Scotland. You can also tell HMRC's security team that you shared personal details. Then go to What to do now.
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