Unexpected request to confirm tax residency - Halifax

Stephen1973

My account was opened in 2010. I have £1 in it at the moment although more in bonds.
I'm not sure there's any rhyme or reason to this. If it's genuine, Halifax have a lot of explaining to do. If it's not, Halifax ought to come out and explain that it's not.

I have drafted a letter to the Savings Director as someone else on this thread has done. I'm also watching your posts with interest as I hold onto my Willenhall letter, signed and sealed but not sent.

Cheers

Stephen1973

In answer to your comment, Yes

Saclar

I received this letter too on Friday 1/4/16. When I phoned the number on the letter the voice message was 'The person on the other end has cleared you call'. Each subsequent phoned call after was responded with, 'your call has been cleared'. I phoned back on the following Monday, got through, I hung on and on but eventually selected another option to receive a call back, left my name and number but guess what - no call back as yet received.

Asked at my branch of Lloyds, they didn't know, couldn't confirm legitimacy.

Today I thought has anyone checked the origin of the address on the letter for its legitimacy???
My letter is from 'Lloyds Bank Plc, Bristol BX1 1LT'. I googled the post code on Royal Mail post code finder - doesn't seem to be recognised, therefore I am not happy about sending my identity on an open form to a pre paid po box number to who ever I don't know. All I know is a bank would not ask for your PIN number or a password, but here we are being asked for our personal identification. Suspect or what???

miller_man

i also received a letter on the 2nd of april, i have had the letter confirmed by halifax, by email and askhalifax on twitter, and by phone, that it is genuine.
posted my letter to willenhall but did not provide the TIN (national insurance number) if its to do with HMRC then they already have my number and can confirm that i reside and been paying tax in the united kingdom from 1-7-14 .
also phoned willenhall to enquire about the letter and was told i would receive the letter back if not filled in correctly, guess what no letter. its a complete mess, this should have been done in house when providing sensitive data.

ChiefGrasscutter

Saclar wrote: »

Asked at my branch of Lloyds, they didn't know, couldn't confirm legitimacy.

Today I thought has anyone checked the origin of the address on the letter for its legitimacy???
My letter is from 'Lloyds Bank Plc, Bristol BX1 1LT'. I googled the post code on Royal Mail post code finder - doesn't seem to be recognised,

All my lloyds paper statements have on them as the "address to write to"
as
Lloyds Bank plc
PO Box 3
BX1 1LT

I recall this the post code on the back of the envelope for returned mail as well.

RobertJPA

It appears that only a small proportion of account holders have had the letter, with no obvious common reason to cause it. It thus looks like a small random sample, and if this is so, how can there be any penalty for ignoring it and not returning the form?

Ginger_bread

Hi
Did you get a reply from the HMRC after you sent the copies?

Ginger_bread

RobertJPA wrote: »

I am relieved to see other people are getting this letter, its not just me. If it is genuine it certainly does a good job of looking fake; the helpline does not work, and it (and the overseas helpline number) cannot be traced by google, and neither can I find a Tax compliance office at the supposed address on the return envelope. My letter is supposedly from the halifax, I have an account with them but it is not new. I am inclined to ignore it, but will keep watching this thread

I have also received this letter and find it suspicious. On the back of the Halifax letter there is a telephone number under the 'our promise' statement, the telephone number is 0800 072 9799. I rang this and it is dead. The number on the Halifax web site is 0800 072 9779 halifax.co.uk/contactus/how-to-complain Would Halifax make this error? The Halifax letter states 'return it to us' so why is the pre-paid envelope addressed to 'Tax Compliance Service Centre'?
There is no box for 'account number', I have several accounts with the Halifax.
Has anyone found out anything further?

Honey3

No further news whether this letter is genuine, is everyone's letter from Halifax saying your account is a reported Account and to provide self certificate for tax residency from 1st July 2014?

Mrs_pbradley936

I spend several months a year in the USA. In the past I have owned property and had rental income from it thus I have a Tax ID Number. I no longer own property nor do I get any income - I just visit for the better climate in winter. Every other year I have to sign forms detailing income which is nil but you have to put that anyway.

I usually go into a branch with my passport and let them fill it all in. I do not have huge amounts - just day to expenses in a current account. I send about £25K Sterling (has to be at least that for a better than tourist rate) just before I leave the UK. I have 3 months rent to pay, car hire and living expenses.