HMRC warning over suspicious email that you must report and delete

One person contacted HMRC on social media to explain how they received an email saying Royal Mail tried to deliver a letter from HMRC – but this message was a scam and was not from HMRC or Royal Mail

HMRC is urging households to be aware of scam emails that wrongly claim to be linked to the tax offer.

One person contacted HMRC on social media to explain how they received an email saying Royal Mail tried to deliver a letter from HMRC. But this message was a scam and was not from HMRC or Royal Mail – this means you shouldn’t click on any links or hand over any personal details.

Taking to Twitter, now X, one Brit asked: “@HMRCcustomers I’ve received an email saying Royal Mail tried to deliver a large letter from HMRC but couldn’t. Please click to rearrange. This is a scam?” HMRC then replied to the taxpayer, confirming it was fraudulent correspondence. HMRC said: “Hi, this is not a genuine email. You need to report a tax scam email call here. You can also find detailed information about HMRC phishing and scams here.”

On its website, HMRC says you can forward suspicious emails to its phishing team at: phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Suspicious text messages can be forwarded to 60599, or for dodgy phone calls from scammers pretending to be from HMRC, there is an online form you can fill out.

You may be being scammed if someone is trying to rush you, is threatening, or if their message is unexpected or out of the blue. You should also be wary if someone is asking for personal information like your bank details, if they’re asking you to send money, or they’re claiming you’re due a refund or tax rebate.

HMRC says it will never send notifications of a tax rebate or ask you to disclose personal or payment information by email or text message. HMRC will also never leave a voicemail threatening legal action or arrest, or ask for payment with a gift card or voucher.

How to report scams

If you suspect a scammer is calling you, hang up immediately and search for the contact details online of the place you’re supposedly being called from. Never call back the number provided by the caller. Contact your bank straight away if you think a fraudster has got access to your account. You can call the 159 hotline, which will connect you to your bank.

Passwords that have been leaked or compromised should be changed immediately. Make sure you report scams and fraud to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or through the Action Fraud website. If you’re in Scotland, report a scam through Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or on the Advice Direct Scotland website.

You can also report scams to Police Scotland on 101. For scam emails, forward them to report@phishing.gov.uk, and for scam text messages, forward them to 7726 for free. You can report dodgy websites to the National Cyber Security Centre.