Bit of a vent!

degs88

Talked to DWP / HMRC couple of times recently and have found the staff really good, knowledgeable and helpful. But their systems are rubbish!

Today I received a Demand from HMRC for NI Contribution for £795.60 which is presumably for 2020/21 saying that I have deferred my contributions and they are now owed. It quotes my NI number so pretty sure its genuine.

• The letter contains a telephone number that is invalid.
• I have not deferred my contributions, I was made redundant in 2017 and have not worked since. This has been discussed in the above mentioned phone calls.
• I used another number and was told "Our offices are closed, they are open .......... 8am to 4pm Saturday. I phoned at 12:15 Saturday
• My personal tax account is still saying that my NI contribution for 2020/21 is not available yet
• Despite the above I have voluntarily paid my NI contributions up to and including that demanded amount

It appalling really, the letter is wrong on so  many levels.

End of vent.

eskbanker

Is there anything other than your NI number that makes you think it's genuine?  I'm not aware of HMRC demanding NI contributions at any time and have always understood these to be voluntary, so this sounds scammy to me - can you post a redacted copy of the letter?

degs88

I assume that its because they think I have deferred payment?

My name and address, including 2 initials though I have 3.

It requests payment by cheque payable to HM Revenue and Customs.

It could be scam but if that is the case then they know my NI which is worrying.

Marcon

degs88 said:

Talked to DWP / HMRC couple of times recently and have found the staff really good, knowledgeable and helpful. But their systems are rubbish!

Today I received a Demand from HMRC for NI Contribution for £795.60 which is presumably for 2020/21 saying that I have deferred my contributions and they are now owed. It quotes my NI number so pretty sure its genuine.

• The letter contains a telephone number that is invalid.
• I have not deferred my contributions, I was made redundant in 2017 and have not worked since. This has been discussed in the above mentioned phone calls.
• I used another number and was told "Our offices are closed, they are open .......... 8am to 4pm Saturday. I phoned at 12:15 Saturday
• My personal tax account is still saying that my NI contribution for 2020/21 is not available yet
• Despite the above I have voluntarily paid my NI contributions up to and including that demanded amount

It appalling really, the letter is wrong on so  many levels.

End of vent.

Which suggests it isn't genuine. See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phishing-and-bogus-emails-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples

Report it as phishing, saying that with so many incorrect details you are sure it cannot be from HMRC (!).

xylophone

It requests payment by cheque payable to HM Revenue and Customs.

https://www.gov.uk/pay-voluntary-class-3-national-insurance/by-post

By cheque through the post

You cannot currently pay by cheque through the post because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

degs88

Ok, thanks for all the advice. Yes, I think its moving towards a scam. What should I do about the fact that they know my NI number?

Marcon

degs88 said:

Ok, thanks for all the advice. Yes, I think its moving towards a scam. What should I do about the fact that they know my NI number?

Nothing you can do, except keep an eye out for any further attempts at scams/identity theft.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

HMRC letters and forms often have an associated number, usually in the bottom left corner.

Tax calculations would be P800, PA302 or SA302.  Tax codes P2.

Does this have anything like that?  National Insurance ones might begin CA (referring to Contributions Agency I think)

Thrugelmir

degs88 said:

Ok, thanks for all the advice. Yes, I think its moving towards a scam. What should I do about the fact that they know my NI number?

Very little. As it's something you can never change. 

degs88

Here's a copy of the letter.

degs88

The postmark on the envelope was "Delivered by Royal Mail C9 10043"