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Blog/Phishing

Tax Refund Text Messages

"You are due a tax refund" texts lead to fake government pages that steal card and bank details. How tax refund text scams work and how to check through official channels.

CyberWatch AI1 October 2026 · 2 min read
Tax forms, a calculator and a pen on a dark surface

A refund from the tax office is good news, which is why scammers love the idea. Texts announcing a refund, a rebate or "unclaimed tax credits" lead to fake government websites that collect card numbers, bank logins and identity details.

How the scam works

  • A text says you are owed a refund and must claim it before a deadline.
  • The link opens a site copying your tax agency's design.
  • You enter personal details, then card or bank details "to receive" the refund.
  • Sometimes a follow-up call from a "tax officer" asks for a code.
Illustrative example · Text message
TAX-OFFICE: After the annual calculation of your fiscal activity, you are eligible to receive a tax refund of 312.60. Submit your claim before 23:59 today: hxxps://tax-refund-portal[.]online
Red flags: a same-day deadline, a link that is not on the official government domain, and a refund you did not expect.

How tax agencies really contact you

  • Through your official online tax account, letters, or messages inside that account.
  • Refunds are paid to the bank account on your tax record, or as set out in your account.
  • They do not ask for card details to pay you a refund.

What to do

  1. Do not click; log in to your tax account through the official website you type yourself.
  2. Report the text. See how to report scam texts.
  3. If you entered details, call your bank and consider protecting your tax account. See tax identity fraud.

Got a refund text? Paste it into CyberWatch AI Scan for a free check.

Related: government and tax agency phishing. For more, see phishing by email, SMS and phone in our complete guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do tax agencies text about refunds?

Many tax agencies say they do not send texts asking you to claim refunds through links. Check your official online tax account instead.

Why do they ask for card details for a refund?

That is the scam. Genuine refunds go to the bank account on your tax record, not through card details entered on a web page.

What should I do with the text?

Report it and delete it. In the UK you can forward scam texts to 7726.

Sources

  1. What To Know About Tax Identity Theft, US Federal Trade Commission
  2. How To Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages, US Federal Trade Commission
  3. How To Avoid a Government Impersonation Scam, US Federal Trade Commission
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