Fraud Fighters
EN
Tell us yours

Is a call from HMRC about unpaid tax a scam?

Yes, if it threatens you or asks for money. HMRC does sometimes call, from 0300 200 3884, but a real HMRC call never asks for personal or financial details.

Arrives by Phone call. Pretends to be: HMRC.

How to spot it

Phone callA number that looks like HMRC

This is HMRC. 1We are taking legal action against you. 2Press 1 to speak to a caseworker and 3make a payment.

Example: GOV.UK (HMRC), which describes a call saying "HMRC is filing a lawsuit against you", and to press 1 to make a payment. We blacked out the dark parts.

  1. A threat of court or arrest
  2. "Press 1"
  3. A request to pay now, over the phone
  4. Other signs to watch for
  5. A refund offer that needs your card details

How it works

A recorded voice, or a person, says you owe tax and that you face court or arrest unless you pay now. You are told to press 1 or ring a number back. Another version offers a tax refund and asks for your card details. They ask you to pay now, over the phone, to avoid arrest.

What to do

  1. Hang up. Do not give any details. If you are worried, check your tax account on gov.uk, typing the address yourself.

  2. Report the call to HMRC on gov.uk, or text CALL and the number to 7726.

  3. If you have lost money, tell your bank now and report it to Report Fraud (reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040) with your screenshots; in Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. If someone is coming to your home to collect money or cards, call 999.

Did you get this one? Tell us what happened: every detail helps us spot it.

Have you got a screenshot?

Tell us what happened

It takes five minutes. We never publish anything you send us.

How we know

Other scams