HMRC text or scam? Check before you act

HMRC is contacting some taxpayers by text this week about overdue Self Assessment liabilities and is also sending updates about VAT registration applications. At the same time, it has expanded its guidance on spotting fake HMRC messages on social media. How can you tell whether a message is genuine?

HMRC’s guidance on genuine text messages confirms that, between 5 and 9 October 2026, some taxpayers may receive a text telling them that their Self Assessment tax is overdue.

A genuine message will tell you to check your online account and go to GOV.UK. It will not ask for personal or financial information and will not contain a link to a website.

Businesses waiting for a VAT registration application may also receive a text from HMRC from 5 October onwards. This might confirm that a query is being processed, provide an update on the application or ask the business to respond to an earlier email or letter. Again, the text will not ask for personal or financial details or contain a direct website link.

HMRC has also updated its guidance on tax scams to cover social media more explicitly. HMRC says it will never use social media to offer a tax rebate or ask for personal or financial information.

If you receive an unexpected message, do not rely simply on the sender name or branding. Instead, sign in to your HMRC account by going directly to GOV.UK and check whether the contact is genuine before responding.

Suspicious texts can be forwarded to 60599 or reported to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. If an account claiming to be HMRC approaches you on social media and you cannot verify it, do not reply or share any information.