Is That HMRC Contact Genuine? How To Check Before You Respond

A message from HMRC can be unsettling, especially when it arrives by phone, email, text or letter and asks you to take action. Unfortunately, fraudsters know this too. They often use HMRC’s name to create urgency and persuade people to hand over personal or banking information.

Why it matters

HMRC does contact taxpayers in several different ways, but not every message claiming to be from HMRC is genuine. The safest approach is to pause, check the source, and avoid clicking links or giving details until you are comfortable that the contact is legitimate.

Phone calls

Be particularly careful if a caller says you are due a tax refund, face a penalty, or need to provide bank details immediately. HMRC will not phone out of the blue to ask for personal information in this way. Some calls are genuine, but it is sensible to check HMRC’s published list of current phone campaigns before responding. A missed call or voicemail from 0300 200 3884 is stated as being from HMRC in the source material.

Emails, texts and links

Scam emails and texts can look convincing. As a rule, do not open links in messages unless you have checked them independently. HMRC says it will not ask for personal information by text. A genuine message may direct you to GOV.UK, but a message offering a refund in exchange for personal details should be treated as suspicious.

Letters and QR codes

HMRC still sends letters, including debt and payment reminders, and may include QR codes on some communications. That does not mean every letter or QR code is genuine. Check the letter reference, use the official GOV.UK guidance, and avoid scanning or following anything unless you are satisfied the letter is authentic.

What to do if you are unsure

Forward suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, forward suspicious texts to 60599, and report scam calls online. If you are a client and you are unsure whether HMRC contact is genuine, send us a copy before taking action.