Check if a text message you've received from HMRC is genuine

Links in text messages

From January 2023 HMRC might send you a text message if you call one of our helplines from a mobile phone.

On the call, we will tell you to expect a text message — it will be either immediately or shortly after our call.

In the text message we might send you a link to relevant GOV.UK information or webchat.

You will not be asked to input any information.

HMRC will never ask for personal or financial information when we send text messages.

Do not open any links or reply to a text message claiming to be from HMRC that offers you a tax refund in exchange for personal or financial details.

You should send any suspicious text messages to 60599 (network charges apply) or email: phishing@hmrc.gov.uk then delete them.

Commercial drivers

HMRC will send a text message to customers who may have undeclared income from driving paying passengers. This is to remind you to:

• notify HMRC of this income
• make a voluntary disclosure

This text message will not:

• ask for personal or financial information
• provide any links to websites

Confirmation and update text messages

HMRC may contact you by text message to confirm that we have received from you:

• a claim
• a form
• other correspondence

The current confirmation text messages being issued are:

• complaints acknowledgements
• VAT DIY House building
• Child Benefit

HMRC appointment reminders

HMRC may send you a text message to remind you of an upcoming telephone, Teams or face to face appointment you’ve booked.

This text message will not:

• ask for personal or financial information
• include any links to websites

Online sales

HMRC will contact customers by text message who may have undeclared income from online sales. This is to remind you to:

• notify HMRC of this income
• make a voluntary disclosure

These messages do not:

• ask for personal or financial information
• include any links to websites

National Minimum Wage increases

HMRC sends a text message to customers who claim Working Tax Credits, to advise when their entitlement to National Minimum Wage has gone up following:

• a recent 18th, 21st or 23rd birthday — messages are issued on a monthly basis
• the annual rate increase on 1 April each year

HMRC contacts apprentices by text message after the annual rate increase on 1 April each year. The text messages are issued from June once a year.

This text message will not ask for any personal or financial information.

Self Assessment returns and payment reminders

HMRC may send text messages to customers to:

• remind them to submit their self assessment returns
• make payments, where due, before 31 January 2023

These text messages will not:

• ask for personal or financial information
• include any links to websites

Self Assessment, VAT, PAYE and Corporation Tax customers

HMRC may send a text message to customers who have debts or outstanding returns to:

• request payment
• request overdue returns
• update their personal or business address

HMRC may also remind you of payment or return submission deadlines becoming due.

This text message will either:

• direct you to the GOV.UK website
• ask you to contact HMRC by phone to make payment or update your address

Text messages will not include or ask for any personal or financial information.

Survey after a call to HMRC or a compliance check

HMRC may send you an exit survey by text message if you’ve:

• agreed to provide feedback after calling one of our contact centres
• gone through a compliance check

This text message will not:

• ask for personal or financial information
• include any phone numbers
• provide links to websites other than to the survey platform

Tax credits

HMRC may contact you by text message to:

• to confirm and remind you about tax credit claim interview appointments
• request that you call the tax credit helpline to discuss your claim

appointments.

These text messages will not:

• ask for personal or financial information
• provide any links to websites

Other texts you should check

You can also check text messages listed in HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method.