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HMRC refund and bank details

I claimed a tax refund last June, finally got the letter today agreeing I was owed money.  Go to reclaim it online to be told that in doing so I would be supplying a third party with not just my basic bank details but also sharing my bank balance and direct debits.  I have nothing to hide, but I refuse to supply those details to a third party private company.  Now asked for a cheque to avoid sharing that data.  I don't understand why that additional information is needed.  Does anyone know?

Comments

  • Mark_d
    Mark_d Posts: 2,748
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    It does sound suspicious.  Are you sure you're really dealing with HMRC or could it be a scammer?
  • Did you make a claim through a 3rd party? 

    Who is the 3rd party you are supposed to give these details to?
  • Squint
    Squint Posts: 37
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
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    It is definitely the gov.uk website and I didn't note down the name of the third party but it started with an e
  • Squint said:
    I claimed a tax refund last June, finally got the letter today agreeing I was owed money.  Go to reclaim it online to be told that in doing so I would be supplying a third party with not just my basic bank details but also sharing my bank balance and direct debits.  I have nothing to hide, but I refuse to supply those details to a third party private company.  Now asked for a cheque to avoid sharing that data.  I don't understand why that additional information is needed.  Does anyone know?
    Were you trying to do this without logging into your Personal Tax Account?

    If you had logged in I don't think the same process applies, you just supply your own bank details and the refund is paid by BACS.
  • eskbanker
    eskbanker Posts: 42,236
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    Squint said:
    It is definitely the gov.uk website and I didn't note down the name of the third party but it started with an e
    "Rave"? ;)
  • flaneurs_lobster
    flaneurs_lobster Posts: 12,799
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    edited 28 February 2025 at 5:29PM
    eskbanker said:
    Squint said:
    It is definitely the gov.uk website and I didn't note down the name of the third party but it started with an e
    "Rave"? ;)
    Eat. Sleep. Claim a tax refund. Repeat.
  • eskbanker
    eskbanker Posts: 42,236
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    eskbanker said:
    Squint said:
    It is definitely the gov.uk website and I didn't note down the name of the third party but it started with an e
    "Rave"? ;)
    Eat. Sleep. Claim a tax refund. Repeat.
    ....and deposit it in the Rockefeller bank?
  • Squint
    Squint Posts: 37
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
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    Squint said:
    I claimed a tax refund last June, finally got the letter today agreeing I was owed money.  Go to reclaim it online to be told that in doing so I would be supplying a third party with not just my basic bank details but also sharing my bank balance and direct debits.  I have nothing to hide, but I refuse to supply those details to a third party private company.  Now asked for a cheque to avoid sharing that data.  I don't understand why that additional information is needed.  Does anyone know?
    Were you trying to do this without logging into your Personal Tax Account?

    If you had logged in I don't think the same process applies, you just supply your own bank details and the refund is paid by BACS.
    Thanks I hadn't logged in.
  • penners324
    penners324 Posts: 3,731
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    Open Banking via API. All very secure.

    I believe Starling run this for HMRC (or used to)
  • Squint said:
    Squint said:
    I claimed a tax refund last June, finally got the letter today agreeing I was owed money.  Go to reclaim it online to be told that in doing so I would be supplying a third party with not just my basic bank details but also sharing my bank balance and direct debits.  I have nothing to hide, but I refuse to supply those details to a third party private company.  Now asked for a cheque to avoid sharing that data.  I don't understand why that additional information is needed.  Does anyone know?
    Were you trying to do this without logging into your Personal Tax Account?

    If you had logged in I don't think the same process applies, you just supply your own bank details and the refund is paid by BACS.
    Thanks I hadn't logged in.
    Log in next time if you want to avoid this way of doing things.

    You would have got the money way faster than through the post.
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