TAX credit claimants are being urged to be on their guard as the HMRC issued a warning in the latest tactics employed by scammers.

The alert seeks to provide details of a number of new scams reported that aim to trick people into handing over money or personal information.

Criminals use deadlines – such as the tax credits renewal deadline on July 31 – to target their victims and the department is warning around 1.5 million tax credits customers to be alert to scams that mimic government communications to make them appear genuine.

Typically, scams will include emails or texts claiming an individual’s details aren’t up to date and that they risk losing out on payments that are due to them, claims that a direct debit payment hasn’t “gone through” and claims that the victim’s national insurance number has been used in fraud.

Others may receive phone calls threatening arrest if people do not immediately pay tax owed or emails or texts offering spurious tax rebates and similar.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's director general for customer services, said: “Tax scams come in many forms and we’re urging customers to be alert to the tactics used by fraudsters and never to let yourselves be rushed.

“If someone contacts you saying they’re from HMRC and asks you to give personal information or urgently transfer money, be on your guard.

“Search ‘HMRC scams’ advice on GOV.UK to find out how to report scams and help us fight these crimes.”

HMRC is currently sending out tax credits renewal packs to customers and is reminding anyone who has not received theirs to wait until after 15 June before contacting HMRC.

By the end of 2024, tax credits will be replaced by Universal Credit.

Customers who receive tax credits will receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) telling them when to claim Universal Credit.

It is important that customers claim by the deadline shown in the letter to continue receiving financial support as their tax credits will end even if they decide not to claim Universal Credit.