“Is This Actually HMRC?” How to Spot a Real Text

You’re going about your day, probably juggling ten things at once, and then your phone buzzes.

It’s a text from “HMRC”.

And suddenly your brain goes straight to:

“Have I missed something?” “Is there a problem?” “Do I need to deal with this now?”

Even if everything is up to date, messages like that have a way of making your stomach drop a little.

And to make things more confusing, HMRC do send text messages now. 

So how do you tell what’s real and what isn’t?

Yes, HMRC Does Text You

This is where it gets tricky.

HMRC will sometimes send text messages, but usually in a very specific way.

They might message to:

• Confirm they’ve received a form or claim

• Let you know something is being processed

• Follow up after a phone call

• Confirm a refund is on its way

• Or occasionally ask for feedback after you’ve spoken to them

In other words, their messages are typically informational, not urgent or demanding.

What HMRC Will Not Do

This is the bit that’s really important.

HMRC will never text you asking for:

• Personal details

• Bank information

• Passwords or login details

And they won’t send you a message saying something like:

• “You’re owed a tax refund. Click here to claim”

• “Urgent action required, respond now to avoid penalties”

If a message is pushing you to act quickly or hand over information, it’s a red flag.

Be Careful With Links

Some genuine HMRC texts may include links, usually directing you to the official GOV.UK information or webchat.

But scammers are getting better at making links look convincing.

If you’re ever unsure, the safest option is not to click the link at all. Instead, go directly to the official HMRC or GOV.UK website yourself, or contact them another way.

It might feel like an extra step, but it can save a lot of stress.

Branded Messages (And Why They Can Still Be Confusing)

HMRC has started sending some messages that look more official, with:

• Their name is clearly shown as the sender

• Their logo

• Verified sender information

These are designed to be more reassuring, but they can still catch people off guard, especially if you weren’t expecting to hear from HMRC in the first place.

And not all phones display these messages in the same way, so sometimes they still appear as standard texts. So even if something looks official, it’s still worth pausing before you act.

Why These Messages Feel So Stressful

Anything involving HMRC can feel a bit intimidating. Even when you’ve done everything right, there’s often that underlying worry that you might have missed something.

That’s exactly what scam messages rely on.

They create urgency and anxiety so you react quickly, without stopping to question it.

Taking a moment to pause and sense-check a message is often all it takes to spot that something isn’t quite right.

What To Do If You’re Not Sure

If a message doesn’t feel right, trust that instinct.

You can:

• Avoid clicking any links

• Avoid replying

• Report the message (you can forward suspicious texts to 60599)

• Delete it once you’ve reported it

And if you’re ever genuinely unsure whether something is real, it’s always better to check through official channels rather than taking a risk.

A Quick Reassurance

If you do receive a genuine message from HMRC, it’s usually just a confirmation or update, not something designed to catch you out.

And if there is something that needs your attention, there will always be a proper, secure way to deal with it.

Running a business comes with enough to think about without second-guessing every message that lands on your phone.

So if you get a text from HMRC and it makes you feel pressured, rushed, or uneasy, take a step back.

You’re far better off pausing and checking than reacting in the moment.

If messages like this tend to leave you feeling unsure or worried about whether everything is “right” with your finances, you’re not alone.