HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus: what it is and how to remove it
HMRC virus is a malspam campaign recently spotted by security researchers. The fake message informs users that outstanding amount of money needs to be paid to HM Revenue and Customs (an official UK's tax office).
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
Automatic
Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.
Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.
If HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus keeps coming back after uninstalling, a scan can find what reinstalls it.
Do it yourself · free Remove HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus yourself 5 steps, about 15 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus |
| Type | Loader |
| Symptoms | An unknown program in Installed apps |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 3 more facts
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
|---|---|
| First seen | 2 July 2018 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus does on an infected PC
From our report of Jul 2018 · not reviewed since
Don't open suspicious emails and avoid computer infections
Typically adware delivers intrusive adverts and other sponsored content.
In HMRC spam's case, any user can get the phishing email delivered into their mailbox. Thus, even if you are the most careful person on the planet, you can still receive this malware-infested email.
What is more, spam emails are as well used to deliver other malicious files, such as ransomware or spyware. It is a nasty type of infections which should not be treated lightly, as they can lead to permanent deletion of personal files. Thus it is imperative to not click on anything inside the fake email message.
There are several preventing actions that might stop the virus. First of all, many email providers have a built-in scanner that can flag up the phishing emails. Additionally, MS Office documents from 2010 and newer are equipped with the "Protected View" feature, which would prevent malware from installing itself.
Nevertheless, there is still a chance the malicious payload could get into your machine. Therefore, be careful online:
- install anti-spyware software
- keep regular backups
- update your software and OS whenever new patches come out
- do not carelessly open every email thrown at you
From our report of Jul 2018 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus
- Rarely symptoms can be spotted; although users should watch out for increased CPU usage and random system crashes
- Injects banking trojan that steals sensitive data
- Use professional security software, such as or
- From: HM Revenue & Customs <no-reply@hmrcmailgov.uk> Date: Tue 26/06/2018 11:47 Subject: Important : Outstanding Amount Outstanding Amount £31,369.64 Date 26 June 2018 Our ref 2389890:00041273:002 You do not appear to have paid the full amount due as shown on the attached Statement of Liabilities.
- Please follow this link for more details.
- https://payert-gov.uk/sidp/form?=victiom@victimsdomain.com&?n2389890KJBDS*(@WWWW About this notice If you agree the amount is due , then you need to pay in full now.
- Go to www.hmrc.gov.uk/payert/index.htm It is possible that this E-mail has been received by you in error.
- If so, please note that it may contain confidential information, and we ask that you notify the author by replying to it, then delete it immediately, and take no further action as a result of receiving it.
- Although we take care by ensuring that any files attached to E-mails sent from our office have been checked with up-to-date virus detection software, you should carry out your own virus check before opening any attachment.
- We accept no liability for any loss or damage which may be caused by software viruses.
- All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
How HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus got on your PC
From our report of Jul 2018 · not reviewed since
HMRC virus is a malspam campaign recently spotted by security researchers.
The fake message informs users that outstanding amount of money needs to be paid to HM Revenue and Customs (an official UK's tax office). "For more details," victims are either prompted to click on the attachment which comes in a .doc format or to click on a link which brings them to the bogus error message that prompts to download the trojan.
The goal of bad actors is clear - they want to infect computers with dangerous malware, which can help them illegally obtain victim's money. Users who get tricked by this phishing email will end up with a banking trojan TrickBot installed on their devices.
Spam emails are the most popular tools that bring various malware into machines. Users can get infected with ransomware, banking trojans, spyware, crypto-miners and other malicious threats. Therefore, security experts always recommend staying away from such emails and be extremely cautious while opening emails from unknown sources.
The fake message states the following:
Criminals use sophisticated social engineering to deceive unsuspecting victims and gain financial benefit. As you can see, there are several reasons why anyone could fall victim to HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount spam:
As evident, the UK Government department has nothing to do with HMRC outstanding Amount virus. Because the email allegedly comes from a reputable organization, users can easily get confused and click on the hyperlink or the malicious attachment.
Those who proceed with the scam, inject machines with a TrickBot virus. This malware hijacks users' browsers and displays a fake version of the online banking web page. Thus, as soon as users enter their credentials, the recorded data is sent to cybercriminals, which can use it for identity theft or money stealing. Therefore, the infected machine can lead to great financial losses and compromised virtual safety.
The most important thing is to take care of HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus removal before it can inflict any damage. However, it is not possible to accomplish without a reputable anti-malware tool, as the virus is complicated and is deeply embedded within system files.
It is not the first time cybercriminals are spreading TrickBot. It was also linked to delivering the infamous WannaCry ransomware back in 2017. As users become more aware of cyber threats, hackers also seek new ways to distribute malicious software, and they will not stop as long as there is some money to gain.
- Virtually identical Logo and styling of a reputable governamental institution
- A believable "From" address
- No grammar or spelling mistakes
How to remove HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus
A loader's job is to install other malware, so treat the PC as infected with more than one program until the scans are clean.
Step 1: Delete scheduled tasks that bring it back
Programs like HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus add a scheduled task so they return after an uninstall or reopen a page at every sign-in. Start Task Scheduler, open Task Scheduler Library and sort by Last Run Time to see what ran recently.
On the Actions tab, a program in a user folder, a script or a web address is a warning sign; right-click such a task and choose Delete.
Tasks with names copying Google, Edge or Windows updaters but pointing to an odd folder are typical. The tool looks the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Windows 11: Task Scheduler Library, the task selected, the Actions tab shows the file it runs. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows
Step 2: Remove it from startup
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and select Startup apps (Windows 11) or the Startup tab (Windows 10). Disable entries you do not recognise, especially ones with no publisher or with a name that copies a Windows component.
Right-click an entry and choose Open file location to see where it runs from: programs in
%AppData%or%Temp%deserve a closer look. Some entries are not listed there but in the registry Run keys, which the procedure below shows how to check.Full procedure with screenshots: Stop apps from opening at startup On uGetFix
Step 3: Delete the folders left behind
Uninstalling often leaves the program's folders, and some threats reinstall themselves from them.
Press Windows + R, type
%LocalAppData%and press Enter, then do the same for%AppData%and %ProgramData%, and look for folders named after HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus, its publisher or created on the day the problem started.Delete those folders, and check
C:\Program FilesandC:\Program Files (x86)too.If Windows says a file is in use, end it in Task Manager or delete the folder after a restart in Safe Mode. The folders are the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows
Step 4: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Change passwords from another device and sign out other sessions
HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus can copy saved passwords, cookies and session tokens and send them out in seconds, so cleaning the PC does not undo the theft.
Change your passwords on a device that was never infected, starting with the e-mail account, since every other reset goes through it. On each account, end all other sessions and check the recovery e-mail, phone number and forwarding rules.
Then turn on two-step verification. Sign in on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC again only after the offline scan is clean.
Full procedure with screenshots: Turn on two-step verification / secure a hacked account
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. - it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
From our report of Jul 2018 · not reviewed since
Eliminate HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount spam virus from your device
In order to remove HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus, you should download and install powerful security software.
These tools can find even the most stubborn malware and get rid of it. What is more, this procedure only takes a few minutes. However, trojan horses might sometimes prevent proper operation of the anti-malware software. In such case, enter Safe Mode with Networking as explained below, and perform a full system scan.
We must warn you that you should not attempt manual HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount removal. If malware gets installed on your system, it is already too late, and you need to seek to use professional tools for safe elimination of malware.
[GI=method-1]If HMRC outstanding virus is preventing your security software to start, enter Safe Mode with Networking the following way:
[GI=method-2]Eliminate malware using system restore:
After removal: passwords, accounts and prevention
Your passwords after HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus
Removing HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus does not undo what it may already have sent out while the PC showed HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus in the list of installed apps. Treat saved browser passwords and logged-in sessions on this PC as known to the attacker.
From another device, change the e-mail password first and end all its sessions. Then do the same for the bank, PayPal, Microsoft, Google and Apple accounts. Stolen session cookies keep working after a password change until you sign out everywhere.
Move crypto to a new wallet created on a clean device. A step-by-step order for every kind of account is in our guide to account security after an infection.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
Questions about HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus
Can I safely uninstall HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus?
If you did not install HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus yourself and it is not part of your hardware or a program you rely on, yes. Uninstalling an unwanted program does not harm Windows.
Before you do, search the exact name and publisher to be sure it is not a driver tool, a printer utility or a game launcher with an odd name. Then remove it from Settings, Apps, Installed apps.
Ignore any offers or warnings in its uninstaller about losing protection or performance. Afterwards check Startup apps and your browsers for leftovers, and restart once to confirm that it does not reinstall itself.
HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus will not uninstall. What can I do?
First restart the PC and try again, because the program may have been running and locked its own files. If the uninstaller is missing or fails, start Windows in Safe Mode, where most third-party programs do not start, and remove HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus from Installed apps there.
If it still refuses, delete its startup entry and its scheduled task, restart, and try once more. A program that actively prevents removal is behaving like malware, so finish with a Microsoft Defender offline scan. Avoid third-party uninstallers offered on search ads; several of them are unwanted programs themselves.
Is it safe to do online banking after seeing HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus in the list of installed apps?
Not on that PC until it is clean. A program that produces HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus in the list of installed apps runs with your rights and could read what you type or what the browser shows. Use a phone or another computer for banking and for changing passwords.
When the offline scan of the affected PC is clean and nothing suspicious starts with Windows any more, you can go back to using it. Check your bank statements for the past weeks either way, and call the bank if anything looks unfamiliar; banks can block cards and reset access quickly.
Do I need to reinstall Windows to get rid of HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus?
Usually not. A thorough clean-up is enough when the offline scan finds nothing afterwards and you do not see HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus in the list of installed apps again. A reset is the safer choice if an attacker had remote control, if security tools were switched off, or if detections come back after every clean-up.
Windows 11 can reset itself without a USB stick under Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC. Copy documents and photos out first and scan the copies. A reset does not change passwords or undo stolen data, so the account steps still apply.
My antivirus was on. How did a trojan get past it?
Antivirus programs see a file only when it is written or run, and criminals test each new build against popular scanners before release. Detection catches up within hours or days, which is often after the first victims ran it.
Archives with passwords, installers that fetch the malware later, and scripts run through PowerShell make the job harder. That is why behaviour such as downloading cracks or pasting commands matters more than any setting. Keep Windows and Defender updated, and turn on Reputation-based protection in App & browser control.
I found AnyDesk or ScreenConnect that I did not install. Is that HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus?
Not necessarily HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus, but it is a warning sign. These are legitimate remote support tools, and criminals use them as ready-made backdoors, especially after tech support scams or fake invoice calls.
If you did not install it and no one you trust set it up, uninstall it, change passwords from a clean device and check your bank account. If someone connected to your PC through it, follow the steps for remote access trojans and consider a Windows reset. Installed apps sorted by date shows when it appeared.
Should I report HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus?
Report it if you lost money, if accounts were taken over, if you are a business, or if the trojan came through a scam call. A police or national cybercrime report gives you a reference number for your bank and insurer and helps link cases.
You do not need to report a trojan that antivirus blocked before it ran. Before reporting, write down the dates, the detection name, file names and any messages or transactions linked to the attack; screenshots of antivirus alerts are useful evidence. The country list is in the report section above.
Which malware family is HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus?
That is not known yet. HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus has been reported by people who saw HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus in the list of installed apps, but no sample has been analysed publicly, so security companies have not assigned it to a family.
The name you see may be a file or program name chosen by the authors, not a family name. This does not stop you from removing it: the startup points, the offline scan and the account steps are the same for most families of this type.
If Microsoft Defender or another scanner gives the file a detection name, write it down; that name is the best clue to the family and is useful when you report the incident.
How do I know if my PC has HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus?
Often you do not, which is the point of a trojan.
Possible signs are an antivirus alert naming HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus or a generic trojan detection, unknown programs or scheduled tasks, processes with random names in Task Manager, browser extensions you did not add, security settings turned off, slower performance, or account alerts about logins from unknown places.
The reliable check is a full scan followed by Microsoft Defender's offline scan. If you recently ran a crack, a fake installer or a command a website told you to paste, scan even without symptoms.
Will Fortect remove HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For HM Revenue & Customs Outstanding Amount virus, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- The Economic Times: Definition of 'Trojan' (read October 6, 2026)
- BBC News: Technology explained: what is ransomware? (read October 6, 2026)
- UsunWirusa: UsunWirusa (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)