Scam Letter By HMRC

Legacy_user

Hi. I am in panic mode and a victim of possible fraud.

I received a letter entitled in my name with a 'HM Government' logo in the top left corner and assumed it was fake. The gist of it is they're telling me to open a bank account or give them bank account details as he can no longer use the Post Office to receive payments (DLA) from them and needs to switch.

The envelope it came in has the genuine address of HMRC on the back, but me being stupid I sent my bank details to what I thought was a genuine letter. The payments usually go to my mum's Post Office account and then gives it to me. Is there a way to remove my bank details and get it resettled back to the original PO account without kicking up any fuss?

Anyway, I'm worried because they have his correct National Insurance number on the letter, his full name and obviously his address. They also know that he's using a Post Office account. So I was wondering if anyone knows, can this information these scammers have be used for anything? Identity theft, taking out loans, anything like that? I am in a bit of a panic about it, so would appreciate some feedback.

marliepanda

Who is 'he'?

I can't really make heads nor tails of the post. You recieved a letter and assumed it was fake? But then sent your bank details to a letter you assumed was fake?

Also HMRC doesn't deal with DLA.

Anyway if you sent it to the actual HMRC address then I can't see anything wrong. They're not going to do anything with itSb

sheramber

HMRC do not deal with DLA payments.

I received a letter entitled in my name with a 'HM Government' logo in the top left corner and assumed it was fake.
Why did you reply if you thought it was fake?

Anyway, I'm worried because they have his correct National Insurance number on the letter, his full name and obviously his address. They also know that he's using a Post Office account.


Why have you changed from using 'i' to using 'his'?

p00hsticks

himynameisaaron wrote: »

Hi. I am in panic mode and a victim of possible fraud.

I received a letter entitled in my name with a 'HM Government' logo in the top left corner and assumed it was fake. The gist of it is they're telling me to open a bank account or give them bank account details as he can no longer use the Post Office to receive payments (DLA) from them and needs to switch.

The envelope it came in has the genuine address of HMRC on the back, but me being stupid I sent my bank details to what I thought was a genuine letter. The payments usually go to my mum's Post Office account and then gives it to me. Is there a way to remove my bank details and get it resettled back to the original PO account without kicking up any fuss?

Anyway, I'm worried because they have his correct National Insurance number on the letter, his full name and obviously his address. They also know that he's using a Post Office account. So I was wondering if anyone knows, can this information these scammers have be used for anything? Identity theft, taking out loans, anything like that? I am in a bit of a panic about it, so would appreciate some feedback.

i'm confused because in your first paragraph you say that you recieved a letter with your details in, but in the final para you are referring to 'he' and ''his'.

and you say you assumed the letter is fake, but then replied to it anyhow ?

I'm not an expert, but if you have been getting your benefit paid into a Post Office Card Account that is in your mums name and is just for getting benefits, then I think it's possible that they may have picked up on this and the letter could be legitimate, as these POCA accounts aren't meant to be used by more than one person. But I think the letter would be from DWP, not HMRC or 'HM Government'.

What makes you think it is fake ?

System

p00hsticks wrote: »

i'm confused because in your first paragraph you say that you recieved a letter with your details in, but in the final para you are referring to 'he' and ''his'.

and you say you assumed the letter is fake, but then replied to it anyhow ?

I'm not an expert, but if you have been getting your benefit paid into a Post Office Card Account that is in your mums name and is just for getting benefits, then I think it's possible that they may have picked up on this and the letter could be legitimate, as these POCA accounts aren't meant to be used by more than one person. But I think the letter would be from DWP, not HMRC or 'HM Government'.

What makes you think it is fake ?

I soon realised the error made on my behalf due to the legitimacy of the letter doesn't ring true, therefore made a human error and has been doing the rounds after reading threads of the same problem. The letter states 'Currently we pay your benefits or tax credits into a Post Office card account. But we now expect you to use a bank, building society or credit union account.'

Firstly, the grammar is absolutely terrible because there is no full stop after 'card account'. It's supposed to read 'We currently pay your benefits into a Post Office card account, but we now expect...'

Secondly, they mention 'benefits or tax credits' so they can't be entirely sure?

Thirdly, they finish the letter off signed 'Office manager' surely this is not standard practice as most people end their letters with a written signature and their full name. This is why I am raising suspicions about the legitimacy of it.

marliepanda

Honestly you're in no position to be judging anyone's grammar.

If those are the only reasons you think it's a scam despite having all of your details then I think you're mistaken.

You said 'immediately thought it was fake' now you seem to think it's fake based on picking apart the grammar, after you sent them your bank details. Your bank details. Or his?

Again I ask, who is he?

System

marliepanda wrote: »

Honestly you're in no position to be judging anyone's grammar.

If those are the only reasons you think it's a scam despite having all of your details then I think you're mistaken.

You said 'immediately thought it was fake' now you seem to think it's fake based on picking apart the grammar, after you sent them your bank details. Your bank details. Or his?

Again I ask, who is he?

I am in no position to pick out people's grammatical mistakes? Would you question the very fact why no name was said at the bottom of the letter as there usually is rather than vague wording of 'Office manager'.

My bank details.

I have autism and learning difficulties, so do things out of my comfort zone to take a risk and end up immediately regretting it. Hence why I always get worried.

I shall be checking my bank account when the next payment goes in to make sure.

bspm

I have no idea whether your letter was official or not but I do know it is cheaper to pay money in to a bank account rather than a post office account so why shouldn't the payer try to use a money saving option.

TELLIT01

Sadly, official communications are often littered with grammatical errors so that isn't really a guide to authenticity. Just having "Office Manager" isn't unusual either although often the person who actually printed it would then sign it pp. If there is a bulk mailing there isn't always the time or opportunity to do that. Having a generic job title is probably better than what we used to see on a regular basis - that is the name of the Office Manager printed on the letter was for one who had left years previously!
What you need to do is contact the office dealing with whichever benefits you receive and check with them as you are concerned that it is a scam.
There is a move to get people to move away from PO accounts to those run by the banks and Building Societies.

densol_2

Is this DLA payments for your son ? Thats the gist of your original post

I wouldnt automatically assume its a fake because ive received almost inconveivable letters from HMRC / DWP.

Whilst not unknown to use letters, scammers usually work by email. Giving someone a bank account and sort code is no real secret. Those details appear on a cheque were you to write one.

Obviously I havent seen the letter but reading all you have put, it doesnt sound fake to me. Why not dig out an original award letter and give them a call. Im sure they will put your mind at rest straightaway.

Let us know

[Deleted User]

I've seen a warning about these letters on Facebook. HMRC have told people who phoned the letter is nothing to do with them.

That said if you sent it back to a legit HMRC address instead of the fake one you have nothing to worry about.