Taxpayers are being urged to check their online HMRC account after scammers attempted to defraud the tax authority using individuals’ data and login details.
The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) is also reminding people of the importance of being vigilant and taking care of personal data.
HMRC recently announced that criminals had targeted the online tax accounts of nearly 100,000 taxpayers to try to make false tax refund claims.
In some cases, HMRC have said that criminals gained people’s login credentials and made use of existing online tax accounts. But, in others, they gained personal data that enabled them to set up new online tax accounts via the Government Gateway.
HMRC have locked down the compromised accounts as a precaution. They are writing to those affected with details on how they can regain access to their accounts.
Joanne Walker, Technical Officer at LITRG, said: ‘HMRC have confirmed that they were the victim of online scammers who tried to defraud them of money using the details of individual taxpayers.
‘While HMRC say this attack has not resulted in any tax-related financial loss for individual taxpayers, it is a timely reminder that fraud is an ongoing threat.’
18/06/2025
View all >
09/07/2026
Tax gap up to more than £59 billion
The tax gap rose to a record high of £59.2 billion in cash terms for 2024/25, according to the latest data from HMRC.
READ MORE
Gen Zs wish they had learnt tax basics
Four in ten of Generation Z say they wish they had learnt the basics about tax when they were younger, according to data from HMRC.
Brexit burden must be cut, says BCC
The UK government must set out a clear plan to ease the burdens that Brexit has placed on business, says the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
Sign up to keep in touch to receive our latest news and industry updates.
* *
Yes, I would like to receive email updates providing me with the latest finance news, advice guides and details of future events.