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Tax refund scams: How to spot them and stay safe in 2026

Name: RIFT Refunds
Address: RIFT House, 200 Eureka Park, Upper Pemberton, Ashford, Kent, TN25 4AZ
Telephone: 01233 628648
Rating: 4.5

Tax refund scams are increasingly common in the UK, and they’re getting harder to spot.

Emails, text messages and even social media messages can now look almost identical to genuine communication from HMRC. Many include realistic branding, believable language and even convincing refund amounts.

If you’ve received a message saying you’re due a tax rebate, it’s completely normal to feel unsure. This guide will help you understand what to look for, what’s changed recently, and how to stay safe.

Tax Refund ScamsAre you a RIFT customer worried about a scam?

If you've received:

missed call or text from 01233 628648

an email from info@riftrefunds.co.uk

That's us contacting you about an enquiry you've made. If everything looks different or you're unsure, keep reading or get in touch and we'll confirm it for you.

Quick answer: Are HMRC tax refund messages real?

In most cases, no. HMRC will not contact you by text, email or social media to offer a tax refund or ask you to click a link to claim one. If you receive a message like this, it is almost always a scam.

Why are tax refund scams so effective?

Tax rebates are something most people feel they might be owed and that often makes them much more believable than other types of scams.

Scammers take advantage of this by:

offering realistic amounts
using official branding
creating urgency

The goal is always the same: to access your personal or financial information.

What's changed with tax refund scams in the last 12 months?

Scammers have become more sophisticated, and the volume of attacks has increased.

Some of the biggest changes include:

More convincing fake HMRC websites:

Fraudsters now create near-identical copies of HMRC pages, including branding, layout and even secure-looking URLs.

More personalised messages:

Some scam messages now include:

your name
realistic refund amounts
references to recent tax activity

This makes them feel much more believable.

Growth in text message scams (smishing):

Text scams have increased significantly. These often create urgency with phrases like:

“You must claim now”
“Refund expires today”

Social media and WhatsApp scams:

Scammers are now reaching people through:

Facebook messages
WhatsApp
Instagram

This is a newer trend and catches many people off guard.

Better timing:

Scams are often sent around key moments such as:

the end of the tax year on 5th April
when people are expecting refunds

This increases the chance people will trust the message.

How to spot a HMRC tax refund scam email

Here are the key things to look for:

1. Check the sender's address

It might look genuine at first glance, but small differences matter.

HMRC emails addresses always end @hmrc.gov.uk.

Examples of reported scam email addresses

These have been used in tax refund scams:

Even if if an email address looks correct, it can still be spoofed, so it's important to check all the signs.

2. Check the greeting

If the email starts with “Dear Customer” instead of your name, it could be a scam.

Look at what you’re being asked to do:

HMRC will never ask you to:

provide personal details by email
share financial information
click a link to claim a refund

3. Don't open attachments or click on links

Attachments can contain malware designed to steal your information. Links are often used to direct you to fake HMRC websites.

Text tax refund scams

Text message scams are now of of the most common formats.

Here's an example of a real scam message one of our staff members received:

HMRC alert!: Your eligible to receive a HMRC tax refund of £1280.50. To collect your refund , please click or enter the fowling link: [link removed]

There are clear warning signs:

spelling mistakes (“Your eligible”, “fowling link”)
urgency
a clickable link

HMRC will never send messages like this.

You can see some more examples of tax phishing emails here on the HMRC website.

Real example: Fake HMRC website scam

A RIFT customer reported a scam where they received a message linking to a website that looked exactly like HMRC.

The page included:

HMRC branding and header
a step-by-step form
a displayed refund amount

At first glance, it looked completely genuine.

What happens on these sites

Step 1: Personal details
You’re asked for basic information like name and address.

Step 2: Card details
You’re asked for:

card number
expiry date
security code

This is the key red flag, as you do not need to provide card details to receive a refund.

This is how scammers access your money.

Step 3: Identity information
The form may then request:

National Insurance number
employment details
additional personal data

This can be used for identity theft.

Step 4: Fake confirmation
The site may show a “refund amount” to make it feel legitimate.

RIFT does not display refund amounts online like this, and neither does HMRC in this way.

Important: we do NOT need your card details

This is one of the most important things to remember.

You only provide card details when making a payment.

If someone asks for:

your card number
expiry date
security code

to receive a tax refund, it is a scam.

What HMRC will and won't do

HMRC will:

process tax refunds through official channels
contact you via letters or secure systems
pay your tax rebate directly to your bank account, or via cheque to your home address

HMRC will NOT:

ask you to click a link to claim money
request personal or financial details via messages

Why Customers Trust RIFT

RIFT alert: Beware of end of year tax scams

At certain times of year, scam activity increases.

Around the end of the tax year on 5th April, many people are waiting for refunds.

Scammers use this timing to send highly convincing messages, sometimes including specific refund amounts. This is when it’s most important to stay alert!

What should you do if you receive a scam?

If you receive a suspicious message:

Do not click any links
Do not provide any personal information

Then:

Report it to HMRC: This helps them track down scams. You can do this via https://www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing
Delete the message: Once reported, remove it.
Contact us if you're unsure: We can quickly whether something is genuine. It's always better to double check, and we never mind confirming to keep you safe.

The honest truth: If it seems too good to be true? It usually is

We all pay tax, and most of us feel like we might have overpaid at some point.

That’s why these scams are so effective.

A genuine tax refund:

follows a clear process
requires accurate information
takes time to process

Scams, on the other hand, promise quick and easy money.

We all pay tax, and most of us think we pay too much, so how tempting is it to be offered some of your money back? It's much more believable than winning the lottery or getting an email from a foreign royal wanting to stash their millions in your bank account for safekeeping (honestly, some of the things they expect us to believe!)

What we do here at RIFT can sometimes sound too good to be true, but we can assure you there is a world of difference between the genuine tax refunds that we offer and the bogus tax refunds that the scammers are trying to tempt you with. We’re always happy to explain what we’re claiming for and why we’re allowed to do it. The scammers on the other hand are purely after your personal details so they can raid your bank account or sell them on to criminal gangs. Bottom line: it’s identity theft.

What we do at RIFT

We help people claim legitimate tax refunds based on what they’re genuinely entitled to.

We always explain:

what you’re claiming
why you’re eligible
how the process works

We will never:

ask for card details to pay a refund
ask you to enter details on a random HMRC site

Anything else you should know

If you’ve already claimed a tax refund through RIFT, you won’t receive another one until the next tax year.

We claim everything you’re entitled to in one go.

Our RIFT Guarantee means that if HMRC ever disagrees with a claim and asks for money back, we’ll cover it, as long as you’ve provided full and accurate information.

FAQs

Does HMRC send text messages about tax refunds?

No. HMRC does not send text messages asking you to claim a refund or click a link.

Can HMRC email me about a tax rebate?

HMRC may send emails in some situations, but they will not ask you to provide personal or financial information or click links to claim money.

How do I report a HMRC scam?

You can report suspicious emails and texts directly to HMRC. This helps them investigate and shut down scams.

What happens if I clicked a scam link?

If you’ve entered any personal or financial details, contact your bank immediately and report it to HMRC. Acting quickly can limit potential damage.

RIFTPROD2 - Subscriber

Tax refund scams: How to spot them and stay safe in 2026​