Dealing with tax compliance is a standard part of running a business, but it can quickly become stressful when you are unsure who is actually contacting you. Fraudsters frequently use a range of communication methods - including phone calls, emails, letters, and texts - to mimic official correspondence.
Because HMRC uses these exact same methods to reach out to taxpayers, it can be difficult to be certain whether a communication is genuine or a trap. For business owners and their team members, handing over the wrong information can be a costly mistake.
Here is the most valuable piece of advice to keep in mind: HMRC will never phone you to say you are entitled to a tax rebate, charge you a penalty out of the blue, or ask for your personal information. If a caller promises a surprise refund in exchange for your bank details, that should set warning bells ringing immediately.
To help you protect your business, here is a straightforward guide to identifying real HMRC contact.
Scammers frequently pretend they are from HMRC to extract bank details by promising a tax refund. However, it is important to remember that not all calls purporting to be from HMRC are scams.
A missed call or a voicemail specifically from the number 0300 200 3884 is a genuine contact from HMRC.
If you receive a call from a different number, HMRC publishes details of their current phone contacts on the Gov.uk website so you can verify the caller's identity.
Digital communication is a common hunting ground for fraudsters. Scammers regularly send emails pretending to be from HMRC. As a strict rule, it is highly advisable never to open a link in an unexpected email.
Texts can be slightly more confusing because HMRC does legitimately communicate by text.
Genuine texts may be used to follow up on a call to a helpline, or to advise you that a Self-Assessment refund is currently being processed.
Some of these official texts will feature HMRC branding, show HMRC as the sender, include their logo, and contain verified sender information. And with the use of AI, these branded communications are becoming even more convincing.
However, HMRC will never ask for your personal information in a text message.
While a real text might include a link to the Gov.uk website or a webchat, you should never open links or reply to any text claiming to offer a tax refund in exchange for your details.
HMRC still heavily relies on traditional post to write to taxpayers (they’re pretty old-school). Even so, it is prudent to check that a letter appearing to be from HMRC is actually real.
HMRC may reply to your previous correspondence by letter.
Genuine examples include Letter IDMS99P, which notifies a taxpayer of an overdue payment on a Simple Assessment, and Letter IDMS99, which simply indicates an overdue payment.
Additionally, genuine letters and leaflets from HMRC may contain a QR code that you can scan to access further help or information.
You can verify recent letters and QR code campaigns on the Gov.uk website.
Be aware that HMRC may use more than one method to communicate with you. For example, they might send a letter first, followed by a phone call. Details of current campaigns using multiple communication methods are also listed on the Gov.uk website.
While it is crucial to stay alert and check whether communications are genuine, completely ignoring all HMRC contact out of fear can backfire. Failing to respond to a legitimate letter about an overdue payment could result in further action. The safest approach is to pause, independently verify the contact using the Gov.uk lists, and then respond through official channels once you are certain it is safe.
If you or your team members spot a scam, you should report it immediately to help shut it down.
Scam emails should be forwarded directly to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
Scam text messages can be forwarded to 60599.
Scam calls and fake social media accounts claiming to be from HMRC can be reported online.
Keeping your business finances secure requires vigilance and good processes. If you want peace of mind knowing your accounts are managed safely and accurately, it pays to have expert support in your corner. Contact Inform Accounting today to find out how our friendly team can help streamline your financial processes in the cloud.
No. HMRC will never phone you to tell you that you are entitled to a tax rebate, threaten you with a penalty, or ask for your personal information. If a caller asks for your bank details to process a refund, it is a scam and should set off warning bells.
If you receive a missed call or a voicemail from the number 0300 200 3884, this is a genuine contact from HMRC. For all other numbers, you can check the published list of current phone contacts on the Gov.uk website.
Yes, HMRC does communicate by text. They may send a text to follow up on a helpline call or to let you know a Self-Assessment refund is being processed. Genuine texts may even include HMRC branding and a verified sender logo. However, HMRC will never ask for your personal information via text.
Genuine leaflets and letters from HMRC can sometimes contain a QR code, which you can scan to access further information or help. It is prudent to check the Gov.uk website, where HMRC publishes a list of genuine letters containing QR codes, to ensure yours is real.