Do you the HMRC phone you personally?

dori2o

kingfisherblue wrote: »

I refused to give personal information out because I didn't want it to get into the wrong hands - how do you know it really is the tax office and not a scammer?

I have heard lots of advice about not giving out personal details, yet that is what is requested by phone. I wasn't expecting a call from HMRC, especially at 8am when I'm busy getting my son ready for the school bus. Therefore I requested a letter and since no letter has arrived, I can only assume that it wasn't HMRC, so presumably I was correct in not giving date of birth, full address, etc.

If HMRC are going to ring, I think that they should gave a detail that is unlikely to be known by a scammer - maybe the middle two numbers of you NI number, or the letter at the end. I don't think it is appropriate for them to expect people to give personal details to confirm their identity, when HMRC cannot confirm that they are indeed HMRC.

It's not only HMRC who cannot confirm who they are on the phone, nobody can.

HMRC are currently undertaking an outbound call programme for those people who complete tax returns to remind them that the deadline is approaching for the tax return to be filed on paper.

These calls are first of all being directed at those who have in the past been fined for submitting a tax return late.

There are also calls being made to individuals who owe money for previous tax years and have not yet made arrangements to pay the balance which is unable to be collected via their tax code.

So whilst you should be vigilant as always with your personal ID, HMRC do make outbound calls in some instances.

In response to the OP, it might be worth contacting HMRC to ask what the call was about.

hcb42

but if they didnt leave their number, then my scam alert is on amber.

Ringing without any info is a futile waste of time, for both the OP and the poor person in HMRC who tries to field that call.

ignore.

DCFC79

WilliamO wrote: »

Thanks everyone.

Just spoke to my flatmate again and he said the number was hidden (unknown caller) and when he said "would you like William to call you back" they replied "No, we will just call again another time".

So what should I do? Ignore everything? Also, if the real HMRC ring, do they leave a 0845 number or something?

Regards

WilliamO

if your worried you could ring them yourself using a number from saynoto0870 if 1 is available and ask if hmrc have been wanting to contact you.

WilliamO

Thanks everyone.

I have put it down to a fake call (i.e. marketing of some sort regardless if they were HMRC or not). I have only been in business for six months so I don't think I owe them money!! Also, they have written to me with regards to UTR and so on, so I believe if it was really that important (if it was the real HMRC) they would of called back by now perhaps repeatly. They have my business/mobile number too. I also have my accountant etc so whatever I receive in the post etc with regards to money matters I pass onto them to sort out.

Thanks Again, everyone. Your time has been appreciated.

WilliamO