HMRC scam text — is “you are owed a rebate” real?
UK guide: how HMRC really contacts you, red flags in fake tax rebate SMS and WhatsApp messages, and what to do before you click any link.
Try the SMS checker or number lookup with any message or contact you are unsure about.
Is this HMRC text legit or a scam? (MoneySavingExpert-style check)
HMRC may send SMS for some services (e.g. reminders to submit), but it will not send you a link to “claim a rebate” out of the blue with a countdown timer. Mass-market “rebate inside 24 hours” texts are almost always phishing.
Real HMRC sign-in and tax account actions live on GOV.UK domains. If the sender is a mobile number, a personal name, or a shortened URL (bit.ly, tinyurl, etc.), treat it as suspicious.
“HMRC: you are owed £284.50” — Reddit / UKPF threads get this daily
Scammers copy HMRC wording and add urgency (“verify within 24 hours”) so you act before you think. They want bank details, card numbers, or your Government Gateway credentials.
If you are genuinely due a rebate, HMRC explains it in your Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK — not via a random SMS link.
What to do before you tap the link
Paste the full message into Hush’s SMS checker — we flag HMRC impersonation patterns, risky domains, and shorteners.
If you already clicked, do not enter details. Sign in to GOV.UK only by typing the address yourself. Report the number or sender in Hush so the next person sees the risk score.