Can't sign in to Gov site for tax return

Norscbu

November2 wrote: »

I then get questions related to credit however I keep getting locked out as the questions make no sense, eg what credit card did I take out in 2014, well I didn't take out any as I've had my card for 30 years and when I chose the bank I have my card with it locked me out,

Well, you answered incorrectly! The correct answer would have been that you did not. It's a common tactic to ask questions like this, you are not supposed to guess as that is what a fraudster might do.

November2

Thanks for all the replies, I've finally got signed in and identified, took me another two goes at answering questions though. Was stumped for a moment when asked what online account I opened in 2012 as the only account I have is Very which was not on the drop down list. A Google search however showed me that Very is part of a retail group and it was that retail parent group that was on the list! So my advice for anyone trying to identify themselves via the credit questions is to get as much information beforehand on each card/account held before trying to answer.

Apodemus

Norscbu wrote: »

Well, you answered incorrectly! The correct answer would have been that you did not. It's a common tactic to ask questions like this, you are not supposed to guess as that is what a fraudster might do.

Yes, I fell foul of this once by not realising there was a "none of the above" box in the questions. I still find it a strange way of working as it looks like a fraudulent site and the more we get used to accepting odd looking sites, the more likely we are to fall the truly fraudulent ones.

dmb14

Sounds like the verify system to me. Have had to answer similar questions which I passed fortunately!

AlexMac

A new HMRC scam?
I've not had your problems logging in to Self-Assessment, but am intruigued as to whether one of the new security checks is a back door HMRC income-generating scam? Multiple, chargeable "premuim SMS " messages to your mobile?

I had to request a code to be sent to my mobile and enter this on their log in as an added security when I last went online, and thought nothing about it til I challenged a bill on my BT mobile for 13 "premium SMS" at 10p a pop. All 13 were sent in a burst of less than one minute.

OK only £1.30, but as BT only usually charge me £5 a month for my call and data package, it stood out. I checked the originator, as the regulator says I should, (Premium SMS messages which you pay for, wanted or not, are a common recent scam which they are trying to crack down on. They suggest you check with your provider and grass up the bad guys to them).

The nice young chap in BT's Indian online chat centre said... "these SMS came from your HMRC"; at which point I replied "so I'm being ripped off by my own Government? Even Mr Modi wouldn't do that to you!"

So the HMRC computer thought- he's asked for a code? Lets send it to him 13 times and make a few bob? And lets do it to the other 30 million SA taxpayers and make more than a few bob?

OK, maybe I should get out more? Or maybe we should congratulate HMRC for their entrepreneurial spirit?

DebbieR

AlexMac wrote: »

A new HMRC scam?


The nice young chap in BT's Indian online chat centre said... "these SMS came from your HMRC"; at which point I replied "so I'm being ripped off by my own Government? Even Mr Modi wouldn't do that to you!"

So the HMRC computer thought- he's asked for a code? Lets send it to him 13 times and make a few bob? And lets do it to the other 30 million SA taxpayers and make more than a few bob?

OK, maybe I should get out more? Or maybe we should congratulate HMRC for their entrepreneurial spirit?

Are you sure these are the HMRC ones? I've just checked my own and DH's bills because I've logged on a few time in the last couple of months and got the verification code and there are no charges on our bills. We're on EE with inclusive calls/texts. The text from HMRC comes up as 60886.

agrinnall

Sounds like complete horlicks to me, like Debbie I have never received any chargeable texts from HMRC and I simply do not believe that they would do it.

AlexMac

agrinnall wrote: »

Sounds like complete horlicks to me, like Debbie I have never received any chargeable texts from HMRC and I simply do not believe that they would do it.

Wow- what faith in Government! A bit like when Jack Straw denied point blank that the UK was involved in "rendition" of terrrorist suspects or that our spooks knew the Yanks were using torture (the recent court case).

OK ye disbelievers; here's a cut n paste from my BT online Bill;
" Messages detail
Date; Thu 15 Dec
Time Number Type Cost
21:51 60886 Premium £ 0.100
21:51 60886 Premium £ 0.100
21:51 60886 Premium £ 0.100
21:51 60886 Premium £ 0.100
21:51 60886 Premium £ 0.100
21:52 60886 Premium £ 0.100
21:52 60886 Premium £ 0.100
21:52 60886 Premium £ 0.100
21:52 60886 Premium £ 0.100
21:52 60886 Premium £ 0.100
21:52 60886 Premium £ 0.100
21:52 60886 Premium £ 0.100
21:52 60886 Premium £ 0.100
Sub total = £ 1.300"

OK, so maybe £1.30 (that's 26 shillings in real money) is nothing to you big spenders, but I remember when it would have bought you five gallons of petrol at five bob each.... and this is supposed to be a "Moneysavingexpert" site

Really, anecdotes and jokes get boring if you have to sub-title them for the hard of thinking or evidence them for the hard of believing.

Anyway, I don't begrudge paying it; HMRC need the money, as they are today's news story shows (about how they are finding it too troublesome collecting tax from really rich bedsteds).

Happy taxing!

agrinnall

Well, my texts from HMRC are also from 60886 and not only have I not been charged anything for them they don't even appear on my bill (Virgin Mobile). Which suggests to me that the charge you have paid is one levied by BT rather than one forced on you by HMRC.

brianposter

Took 2 months from the time I started trying to do online self-assessment to the time I could access a tax return.