HMRC tax return scam triggers £7,000 refund to fraudster - how to keep your details safe - Which?
Which? speaks to a self-employed woman who couldn't complete her tax return because a fraudster had beaten her to it
www.which.co.ukHere are the latest general updates on HMRC tax refunds, based on recent reporting.
- HMRC has acknowledged delays in some income tax repayment claims due to stronger fraud checks and security measures. This has led to a portion of refunds taking longer than the typical target of 15 working days.[1]
- The agency says it remains focused on paying refunds quickly where legitimate and that the majority of personal tax repayments still clear within the target window, but a small minority may wait longer while security checks are completed.[1]
- Fraud risks around Self Assessment refunds have been a persistent concern, with HMRC warning taxpayers to beware of scams and to verify communications claiming to be from HMRC before sharing personal details or payment information.[3]
- There have been occasional media reports about ongoing refund delays affecting a subset of taxpayers, sometimes extending into weeks or months for certain cases, depending on the complexity and security verifications.[3][1]
What I can help with next
- Check your specific HMRC refund status if you have details like your Self Assessment reference number, tax year, and checkpoint messages.
- Provide guidance on how to protect yourself from tax refund scams and how to report suspicious contacts.
- Summarize official HMRC guidance on typical refund timelines and what might cause delays in plain terms.
If you want, tell me your tax year and whether you’re checking a general status or suspect a scam, and I’ll tailor the steps for you.
Citations:
- HMRC refund delays and security checks[1]
- HMRC fraud/safety guidance for Self Assessment refunds[3]