HMRC calling card criminal investigation

murphy306

Has anyone had one of these cards? What do they investigate?

PlutoinCapricorn

Was the card actually addressed to you, or just put through the letter box?

It seems that it does not involve ordinary tax payers who may not have reported all of their income, but serious fraud:

"HMRC generally pursues criminal rather than civil prosecution in the following cases:

Where individual or corporate taxpayers have deliberately omitted, concealed, or misrepresented information in order to reduce tax liabilities;
Criminal attacks on the tax system involving coordinated and systematic attacks by organised criminal gangs; and
Hidden economy fraud consisting of undeclared economic activity from sources deliberately concealed from HMRC. "

PlutoinCapricorn

Here is a more comprehensive list of cases where criminal rather than civil procedures are used:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/prosecutions/crim-inv-policy.htm

murphy306

I have always been working, not self employed. Don't do any other business of my own always paid my taxes etc so totally unsure what it's relating to.

They called today I was at work so they left a card with my neighbour.

All seems a bit strange, I can't think what it can possibly be about.

murphy306

No my name wasn't on the card at all.

Just seems strange that if it was serious you would think they would write to me?

Never been in any sort of trouble ever

PlutoinCapricorn

It does seem strange: I would have expected them to start with a letter.

It could be a mistake; it could be some kind of scam. Perhaps a call to HMRC to ask for advice using a number on their website might be advisable, rather than phoning the one on the card.

Maybe one of the former HMRC people on here will see this and advise.

murphy306

I rang their helpline when I came home from work as I was so shocked, the lady put me on hold and tried ringing the numbers on the card too but no answer.

I have been ringing the mobile number on card too but no answer or message facility.

The only time they have ever contacted me before was to advise of a paye underpayment of £156 but that was reflected in my tax code.

I am worried sick about it as I don't know what they think I have done

PlutoinCapricorn

The card has a mobile number? This could be a scam to charge you huge amounts for a premium rate number.

I am getting worried myself! I know that even if someone has done nothing, these things can still be very stressful.

Have you moved address recently so letters might not have reached you? Is your real name a very common one, a name shared with many people in your area? Could your neighbour have got confused?

murphy306

No I am at my address 5/6 years, the postman is really good but if there is a strange postman he leaves my mail at mother in laws but we always get it that evening.

I just think that it's rather strange in a Criminal Investigation they wouldn't write to you first or even have left a letter in my mailbox rather than a card with the neighbour.

I've not got any business nor do I work from home or anything. I have read those lists posted but nothing on there applies to me.

Mobile number 07730 802 023 or 03000 523 091 do they seem like scam numbers?

PlutoinCapricorn

I am running out of ideas - do you know anyone who like playing practical jokes?

If the card has only a mobile number, it seems very strange.

Most scams involve emails apparently from HMRC, but I found this:

"5. Bogus callers
HMRC is aware that some customers have received telephone calls or home visits from people claiming to be from HMRC. They are encouraged to provide their bank account details in exchange for tax advice enabling them to make a payment or obtain a refund of tax. A fee is charged for this service.
If you cannot verify the identity of the caller we recommend that you report it to the police immediately."

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/examples.htm

PlutoinCapricorn

"If you go on the HMRC website, you will see a notice that says they will never contact you via email, ever. Delete any "HMRC" emails you get because they will be spam.

They do phone, I've had phone calls, but it's more usually letter, and I don't think they'd ever ask you to phone a mobile number."
http://www.salongeek.com/archive/index.php/t-143157.html