Tax can be taxing… #FraudFree2026

Good afternoon,

As we rapidly approach the deadline to submit self-assessment tax returns to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC)  we anticipate there will be an increase in fraud reports involving criminals impersonating HMRC via phone calls, emails, texts, social media, WhatsApp messages etc. 

Our advice is to not engage with these contact attempts and to contact HMRC directly via: HMRC online services: sign in or set up an account: Sign in to HMRC online services - GOV.UK or alternatively, you can phone them on 0300 200 3311. 

HMRC do not phone you so if you receive a call from that number it is very likely to be spoofed (criminals are hiding behind the number).  If that happens, do not engage, contact HMRC via their website (details above).

Please do share this important warning with friends and family and encourage them to sign up for their own Hampshire Alert: https://www.hampshirealert.co.uk/ 

Hampshire Alerts is not a crime reporting portal – please do not report crime here.

If you realise you’ve been scammed and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Report Fraud either by phone 0300 123 2040 or online at:  https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/

However, if a fraud or other crime is in progress, and/or you are in fear for yourself or someone else, and/or there is evidence in situ that could be damaged/destroyed, please phone 999 immediately. 

Otherwise, report non-fraud crime online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

If you would like to report a crime anonymously please contact: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or phone 0800 555 111

If you've been affected by a crime please contact Victim Care Hub for free, confidential, support:  https://www.hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk/  or phone 0808 178 1641

If you’ve received a phishing email please report it to your email provider and/or forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk 

If you’ve received unwanted phone calls or texts from people you think are trying to scam you, but you haven’t engaged with them, please forward the text/phone number to 7726 or your phone provider.

Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team