HMRC use a range of communication methods, as do fraudsters. Consequently, it can be difficult to be certain that a call, email, letter or text which seems to come from HMRC actually does. How then do you tell if the communication is genuine?

Phone calls

Scammers may pretend that they are from HMRC and try to extract a person’s bank details by telling them that they are entitled to a tax refund. This should set warning bells ringing – HMRC will never phone someone to tell them that they are entitled to a tax rebate or that they are to be charged a penalty, or to ask for personal information.

Not all calls purporting to be from HMRC will be a scam. However, to help callers identify whether a call is genuine, HMRC publish details of their current phone contacts. The list is available on the Gov.uk website at www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-a-phone-call-youve-received-from-hmrc-is-genuine.

However, a missed call or voicemail from 0300 200 3884 is from HMRC.

Emails

Scammers also send emails purporting to be from HMRC. However, as with phone calls, HMRC publish a list of recent email topics, which can be found of the Gov.uk website at www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-an-email-youve-received-from-hmrc-is-genuine.

It is advisable not to open a link in an email.

Letters

HMRC may write to taxpayers. However, it is prudent to check that a letter which seems to be from HMRC actually is. HMRC publish a list of recent letters that they are sending out, details of which can be found on the Gov.uk website at www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-a-letter-youve-received-from-hmrc-is-genuine. Examples of genuine letters include Letter IDMS99P which tells someone that they have an overdue payment on a Simple Assessment and Letter IDMS99 which tells someone that they have a payment which is overdue. HMRC may also reply to correspondence by letter.

Texts

HMRC do communicate by text, for example, to follow up a call to a helpline or to advise someone that their Self-Assessment refund is being processed. Some texts may have HMRC branding which will show HMRC as the sender, include the HMRC logo and contain the verified sender information.

As with other forms of communication, HMRC publish details of recent text contact on the Gov.uk website (see www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-a-text-message-youve-received-from-hmrc-is-genuine).

HMRC will never ask for personal information in a text.

While a text from HMRC may include a link to the Gov.uk website or to a webchat, recipients should not open any links or reply to a text that claims to be from HMRC and offers a tax refund in exchange for personal information.

QR code

Leaflets and letters from HMRC may contain a QR code which can be scanned to access further information or help. Details of genuine letters from HMRC containing a QR code can be found on the Gov.uk website at www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-a-qr-code-on-a-letter-youve-received-from-hmrc-is-genuine.

More than one method of communication

HMRC may use more than one method to communicate with a taxpayer, for example, a letter followed by a phone call. Details of current contacts using more than one method of communication can be found on the Gov.uk website at www.gov.uk/guidance/check-genuine-hmrc-contact-that-uses-more-than-one-communication-method.

Reporting suspicious communication

Scam text and email messages and scam social media accounts claiming to be from HMRC should be reported. Scam emails should be forwarded to [email protected], scam texts can be forwarded to 60599 and scam calls can be reported online.

Stay alert

It is important to stay alert and check whether communications from HMRC are genuine.