Revenue scam texts and emails: how to spot them and what to do

Revenue never texts or emails about a refund or a bill, or asks for bank details by phone. How to recognise a fake message and what to do if you replied.

Scammers send texts, emails and calls that appear to come from Revenue. Most promise a tax refund or demand payment of a tax bill, sometimes threatening a criminal case. They try to get you to click a link and enter personal, account or card details.

What Revenue never does

• contact you by email, text or phone to tell you about a tax refund or a bill
• ask for your bank account, card number or password on a phone call
• send texts or emails asking you to click a link and pay customs charges

Revenue corresponds through MyEnquiries, its secure messaging service inside myAccount and ROS, not by ordinary email or text. You can check any refund or balance yourself by signing in to myAccount.

Warning signs

• a sender address that isn't an @revenue.ie address, or one made to look like it
• poor spelling or grammar
• an exact amount you are owed or must pay
• urgency, or a deadline to respond
• links to pages outside revenue.ie
• emails saying you are 'due an audit' with a link to book it

Customs and delivery scams

Revenue has warned that fraudsters may use the €3 customs charge on small parcels, introduced in July 2026, as cover for fake payment requests. Revenue never contacts you for customs charges; any charges due on delivery are paid to the courier, postal operator or customs agent. Check whether you already paid at checkout, and check how your courier says it will ask for payment. An Post never sends payment links by text. See customs charges on online shopping.

If you think a message is fake

1. Don't click any link or reply.
2. Don't give personal, Revenue or bank details.
3. Delete it.
4. To check your tax, type www.revenue.ie into your browser yourself and sign in to myAccount or ROS.

If you already responded

• if you entered your Revenue login, reset your password straight away
• if you gave bank or card details, contact your bank or card provider immediately
• on an unexpected call asking for financial details, hang up; Revenue verifies callers using information it already holds

Work it out

• Tax refund check →
• Tax back predictor →

Sources

• Revenue: How to submit a PAYE Income Tax Return (checked 16/10/2026)

General information, not tax advice. HeyPenny is not a tax agent.