Scams surge as Self Assessment deadline nears

With the 31 January deadline for Self Assessment fast approaching, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning of a spike in scam attempts targeting taxpayers. Fraudsters are preying on vulnerable individuals, offering fake tax rebates or demanding payments to steal personal information.

Nearly 150,000 scam reports were made to HMRC over the past year, with fake tax rebate claims accounting for about half of all cases. This represents a 16.7% rise in scam activity compared to the previous year. As millions prepare to file their tax returns, fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated, often posing as HMRC representatives.

HMRC Chief Security Officer Kelly Paterson urged taxpayers to stay vigilant. "HMRC will never contact you via email, text, or phone about a refund or ask for personal details," she said. "If you're uncertain, take your time, check GOV.UK for advice, and report any suspicious activity."

Taxpayers are advised to access any legitimate refunds through their online HMRC account or the official app. For suspected scams, forward phishing emails to [email protected], report scam calls on GOV.UK, and text suspicious messages to 60599. Protect yourself by staying alert—fraudsters are counting on your haste.