Is this HMRC letter, text or email genuine? How to check
Scammers often pretend to be HMRC, especially around tax deadlines and refund season. A few simple checks can tell you whether a message is likely to be genuine.
Common warning signs
- A tax refund offered by text or email with a link to claim it.
- Threats of arrest or immediate legal action unless you pay now.
- Requests to pay by gift card, cryptocurrency or to an unfamiliar bank account.
- Requests for your bank details, passwords or one-time codes.
Verify without using the message
Do not click links or call numbers in a message you are unsure about. Instead, sign in to your HMRC online account directly or find contact details on GOV.UK. GOV.UK explains how HMRC does and does not contact people, and how to report suspicious messages.
Checking a paper letter
Genuine letters usually include your reference numbers (such as your National Insurance number or Unique Taxpayer Reference), a clear reason for writing, and figures you can match against your own records. If anything feels off, check your online account before responding.
Reporting a scam
- Forward suspicious HMRC emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
- Forward suspicious texts to 60599.
- If you have lost money, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud.
Published 27 October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules can change and may differ across the UK — check the official sources below for your situation.
Sources
Related guides
Got one of these documents? Upload it privately to ClariDoc for a plain-English explanation.
Not sure what your letter is asking?
Upload your document to ClariDoc. We'll explain it in plain English, pull out the deadline and give you a clear next-step checklist — usually in under a minute.