Letter from HMRC

theepw9

GTR_King said:

Best advice is if HMRC Wants 3 years worth of bank statements for all your accounts order copies (Don't send originals) from your banks once they arrive open them to check the dates then put them all in an envelope or small box and send recorded tracked delivery...

Worst case they will shred all your banks statements... but most likely send them back to you. 

They won't tell you why they want your bank statements or suspect your renting a property as legally not allowed to tell you to tip you off  

That's great advice, thank you GTR_King.  So it sounds like HMRC do not have to tell me where their beliefs come from or the evidence for this, even if I request that evidence? 

canaldurhone

Once you have verified that this is, indeed, HMRC (and not a scammer), cooperate. Fully.
Any prevarication, or reluctance, will just raise their suspicions further. If you have nothing to hide (ie you have not been avoiding tax on a rental property), then the quicker and more conclusively you confirm/prove this to them the better.
Once you have satisfied them, you could ask questions to ensure you have not been subject to ID fraud, but my guess is that they've cross-reference Land Registry records and found two properties owned in the same name. Theepw9 is an unusual name but perhaps not unique.....! 

SameOldRoundabout

The address and phone number are genuine. As stated previously BX9 is exclusively for HMRC and 1LE is ISBC post. 

Call them. The caseworker may be able to resolve this over the phone. It’s unlikely they will disclose their information however, as they get info from lots of third parties ie banks and land registry. It could well be a mix up with a person with the same name etc. 

if you can’t resolve on the phone just send the statements requested with a cover letter asking they destroy them. 

pretamang

rincha said:

A simple call to the genuine HMRC number would sort all this out?  5 min job! 

have you every phoned HMRC before? 5 mins if your lucky, but you might need to take the morning off and find a comfy seat to enjoy the hold music!

TripleH

I would ring the number (it might be a long wait in a queue).

They won't give you details about why the claim arise but maybe you could verify they have the correct 'theepw9' before you spend time getting together all bank statements.

If you need more time, do raise this with them but it is best to comply with HMRC than ignore them but do get the information together and sent recorded delivery as soon as you can.

If you have money going into your account other than wages where the narrative isn't clear what it is, it's best to briefly reference up what they are to save hassle.

sheramber

Calling as soon as lines open is normally successful

Start dialling just before the time to get att eh front of the queue.

GTR_King

theepw9 said:

GTR_King said:

Best advice is if HMRC Wants 3 years worth of bank statements for all your accounts order copies (Don't send originals) from your banks once they arrive open them to check the dates then put them all in an envelope or small box and send recorded tracked delivery...

Worst case they will shred all your banks statements... but most likely send them back to you. 

They won't tell you why they want your bank statements or suspect your renting a property as legally not allowed to tell you to tip you off  

That's great advice, thank you GTR_King.  So it sounds like HMRC do not have to tell me where their beliefs come from or the evidence for this, even if I request that evidence? 

They legally don't have to tell you anything even if you request the evidence they will happily decline..

best to check if it's you that they wanna see evidence from not another theepw9 from the uk

badger09

GTR_King said:

theepw9 said:

GTR_King said:

Best advice is if HMRC Wants 3 years worth of bank statements for all your accounts order copies (Don't send originals) from your banks once they arrive open them to check the dates then put them all in an envelope or small box and send recorded tracked delivery...

Worst case they will shred all your banks statements... but most likely send them back to you. 

They won't tell you why they want your bank statements or suspect your renting a property as legally not allowed to tell you to tip you off  

That's great advice, thank you GTR_King.  So it sounds like HMRC do not have to tell me where their beliefs come from or the evidence for this, even if I request that evidence? 

They legally don't have to tell you anything even if you request the evidence they will happily decline..

best to check if it's you that they wanna see evidence from not another sheramber from the uk

theepw9
Fixed that for you. 

Mistaken identity? Easily done😉

MoneyLovesCompany

I am an accountant in public practice: And my advice is to contact an accountant, local to you, and ask if they would give you a free initial meeting. Usually that freebie is about 30 minutes. We accountants have direct access to HMRC via an 'Agents Hotline' and that phone usually gets answered pretty quickly, certainly well within the 30 minutes freebie. A quick chat with HMRC could well resolve all doubts and issues. It certainly sounds like either HMRC have been given wrong information or their records are cr*p (hardly unusual) or they are on a fishing expedition. Whatever the reason, that phone call should help.

user1977

MoneyLovesCompany said:

I am an accountant in public practice: And my advice is to contact an accountant, local to you, and ask if they would give you a free initial meeting. Usually that freebie is about 30 minutes. We accountants have direct access to HMRC via an 'Agents Hotline' and that phone usually gets answered pretty quickly, certainly well within the 30 minutes freebie. A quick chat with HMRC could well resolve all doubts and issues. It certainly sounds like either HMRC have been given wrong information or their records are cr*p (hardly unusual) or they are on a fishing expedition. Whatever the reason, that phone call should help.

I expect things might have moved on since the OP posted their query over five months ago.