P800 tax refund due but can't claim online

Bogof_OAP

Have had a letter from HMRC saying I have overpaid £54 tax, but the only option shown to claim it back is via online.  I have set up a Gateway account and gone through seemingly dozens of security set-up questions, but having now tried to make the refund claim I'm getting rejected at the further security questions there.

I have to choose from three options - UK Passport, Credit check or Irish Driving Licence (I'm not Irish so can't understand that one).  I've put in my passport details, and having not had any credit agreements in the last six years have selected renewal of phone contract in the last two years, but it keeps saying invalid information entered, but they don't say what's wrong with my responses.  I am confident that they are correct, but now worried because they also list four addresses in my locality asking if I have ever been associated with any of them, but I know I haven't, so has someone stolen my identity to make credit applications?  A few years ago we used to get repeated phone calls from credit agencies asking for someone we've never heard of, but eventually we got those stopped.  All a bit worrying.

I've used their "contact us" facility to ask what I need to do, but it does seem daft that (a) there's only one way to claim this despite them being the ones instigating the refund, (b) there's far too many questions to set up a Gateway account before you even get to start the claim, and (c) when they then ask yet more questions to confirm identity they don't tell you what's wrong with the answers you give.

Can anyone throw any light on this?  Do I have to forego my refund or is there a way of getting through to them by post?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

There isn't only one way to claim it.

Just phone them up (or try webchat?) and they will send you a cheque.

https://www.gov.uk/tax-overpayments-and-underpayments/if-youre-due-a-refund

Bogof_OAP

Aha, thanks for that.  I now see that if I don't claim online within 21 days they will send me a cheque anyway.  Still think it's far too complicated, but I suppose they have to be absolutely sure nothing is fraudulent.