Tax refund, fine or road toll text: is it a scam?
These texts pretend to come from a tax office, the police, a court, a council or a road toll company. They say you are owed money, or that you owe a fine or toll, and give a link to claim or pay.
Check your message free ↓What it can look like
Tax Office: You are due a tax refund of 326.80. Claim before midnight at [link]
A made-up example. Real messages vary.
The warning signs
- It is a text or email with a link to claim a refund or pay a fine.
- It asks for bank or card details.
- It threatens extra charges, court or losing your licence if you do not act quickly.
- It offers a discount for paying fast.
- The web address is not the official government website.
What to do
- Do not click the link.
- Check with the tax office, court or toll company yourself, on its official website typed in by you, or on a number you already have.
- In the UK, US and Canada, forward the text to 7726, then delete it.
- If you entered card or bank details, call your bank straight away.
Already paid or shared your details?
- Call your bank straight away, using the number on your card.
- Change any passwords you shared, starting with your email.
- Report it (see below).
- Tell someone you trust. Scams catch careful people too.
United Kingdom
Report fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. Forward scam texts to 7726 and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Call 159 to reach most UK banks.
United States
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Forward scam texts to 7726.
Canada
Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on 1-888-495-8501. Forward scam texts to 7726.
Australia
Report it at scamwatch.gov.au. If you lost money, report it to the police at cyber.gov.au and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 for free help.
Anywhere else
Report it to your local police or your national fraud reporting service.
Our checks on this scam
Got a text about a speeding or traffic fine? The documented scam pattern
No. On 21 September 2026 police on the Isle of Man said they had received a high number of calls about texts demanding payment of a traffic fine through a link. UK transport authorities and the US Federal Trade Commission have warned about the same kind of message. All of them say: do not click, and check any fine yourself through official channels. This reviews a documented pattern, not a particular message.
Updated 26 September 2026 · Read the evidence ↗Other common scams
- Parcel delivery texts
- Your bank's "fraud team" calls
- Celebrity investment adverts
- "Hi Mum, I've got a new number"
- A loved one's voice on the phone
- Fake shops and too-good deals
- Computer help calls and pop-ups
- Requests for a security code
- Online friends who talk about money
- Calls from the "police" asking for money
- Power or water cut-off messages
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. Reporting details were checked on 26 September 2026. Another AI Lie is not linked to the organisations named. Example messages are made up.