HMRC has issued a warning to taxpayers (not a scam)

HMRC has issued a warning to taxpayers that they may receive an official text confirming that their tax refund is being processed

This is not a scam, HMRC stressed, and is merely a notification that HMRC is processing the tax refund and when payment can be expected.

The notification has been issued on HMRC’s scam guidance page to alert taxpayers that these texts are not a scam and are only a confirmation text.

The texts require no further action, unlike spammers, which send messages asking recipients to click and pay a fee to get a fictitious refund, for example.

In the update, HMRC confirmed: ‘HMRC may send you a text message if you request a self assessment tax refund. The text message will confirm:

·         that your tax refund is being processed

·         when you can expect to get it.’

Importantly, HMRC stressed: ‘The text message will not ask you for personal or financial information, or provide any links to websites.’

Taxpayers should always claim tax refunds directly with HMRC and have no need to use third party tax claim agents to handle this. These agents charge up to 40% in commission on the amount of the tax refund, which would be paid in full by HMRC if the claim was made direct.