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# Suffolk taxpayers face increased risk as tax scams rise by 16%
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/suffolk-taxpayers-face-increased-risk-as-tax-scams-rise-by-16-percent/
- Published: 2024-12-02T08:03:51.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:28:53.000Z
- Description: Tax scam attempts reported to HMRC have risen by 16.7% in the past year, with fraudsters stepping up their efforts to target Suffolk residents ahead of the January Self Assessment deadline.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Scams & Consumer Safety, #article, Suffolk Trading Standards, #Import 2026-03-16 14:46

**Why it matters**: Nearly half of all scam reports to HMRC in the last year involved fake tax rebate claims, putting millions of taxpayers at risk of losing personal information and money.

**By the numbers**:

- 144,298 scam referrals received by HMRC between November 2023 and October 2024
- Up from 123,596 in the previous 12-month period
- 71,832 reports involved fake tax rebate claims

![Suffolk Trading Standards warning on self-assessment scams](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1732807241-self-assessment-scam.png)

Tax scam attempts reported to HMRC have risen by 16.7% in the past year (Suffolk Trading Standards)

**The big picture**: With the 31 January 2025 Self Assessment deadline approaching, fraudsters are increasingly targeting taxpayers through various methods:

- Voicemails threatening legal action or arrest
- Text messages requesting personal information
- Fake tax rebate offers

**What they're saying**: HMRC has emphasised it will never:

- Leave threatening voicemails about legal action or arrest
- Ask for personal or financial information via text message
- Make unexpected offers of tax rebates

**How to protect yourself**: HMRC advises checking gov.uk to verify any suspicious communications claiming to be from the tax office.

**Bottom line**: As tax scams continue to rise, Suffolk residents should remain vigilant and verify any unexpected HMRC communications, particularly those requesting personal information or offering surprise rebates.

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