Don’t Respond to Agent Services Text

14 Jan 2025

Don’t Respond to Agent Services Text

HMRC has confirmed that a text message from “TaxGateway” asking the recipient to click on a link and confirm details of their agent services is fraudulent. 

A number of members have contacted ICAEW to say that they have received the text message. 

HMRC has published guidance explaining how agents can stay safe online, including how to reduce the risk of fraud and how to report suspicious activity. When in doubt, agents and taxpayers can also check HMRC’s list of genuine contacts.

The text message should not be confused with an earlier campaign in which HMRC asked agents to provide details of their agent codes. 

In October 2024, HMRC asked agents to complete an online form with details of the codes they use for self assessment, VAT and corporation tax. The deadline for doing this was 6 December 2024 and the online form has now been taken down. To read more about the campaign, see this most recent article from ICAEW. 

ICAEW is waiting to be told what action HMRC will take following the end of the campaign.