Is this letter a scam?

HugoandHudsonsmum

Thank you so much for everyone's comments I'll attach a photo of the letter 

HugoandHudsonsmum

Forgot to actually post it in my last reply 

Yamor

This letter is genuine, and the number is genuine.

la531983

You could have just Googled the number yesterday and seen its fine....

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/working-and-child-tax-credits/tax-credit-overpayments/if-hmrc-says-youve-had-a-tax-credits-overpayment/

Muttleythefrog

The fact the number is genuine and the letter looks genuine.... almost certainly genuine. If there is history of claiming tax credits I'd say over 99% likely genuine.

She can call the number, ask if the document is genuine and then give banking details if so.
https://www.gov.uk/find-hmrc-contacts/tax-credits-general-enquiries

Criminals sometimes will use official contact details on communications for organisations to make them seem genuine but if you use those official contact details to determine whether the document is legitimate then it is hard to go wrong. Rely only on official websites or equivalent - so places like sites that allow users to say whether a number is genuine or a scam line are often very wrong or misleading with variant answers.

HugoandHudsonsmum

la531983 said:

You could have just Googled the number yesterday and seen its fine....

I'm sorry I thought forums where there to help I don't live with my mum so I've not seen the letter till I came round today.  

HugoandHudsonsmum

Muttleythefrog said:

The fact the number is genuine and the letter looks genuine.... almost certainly genuine. If you have history of claiming tax credits I'd say over 99% likely genuine.



Criminals sometimes will use official contact details on communications for organisations to make them seem genuine but if you use those official contact details to determine whether the document is legitimate then it is hard to go wrong.

Thanks she is most worried about giving her bank details over the phone as there isn't a way to claim the money online. 

Will this affect her UC? 

rosewalk

Can she contact them and ask them to issue her a cheque? It should not affect her UC.

la531983

Nobody can do anything with a sort code and account number. Your mother likely handed this info out like confetti for years, given they are printed on the bottom of every cheque. 

First person to mention Jeremy Clarkson will be called predictable by me.

Anyway wont they already have the details if she is receiving payments already? All she needs to do is tell them to use those.

HugoandHudsonsmum

la531983 said:

Nobody can do anything with a sort code and account number. Your mother likely handed this info out like confetti for years, given they are printed on the bottom of every cheque. 

First person to mention Jeremy Clarkson will be called predictable by me.

Anyway wont they already have the details if she is receiving payments already? All she needs to do is tell them to use those.

She's doesn't get tax credits anymore the last time she got tax credits was back in 2012 once my sister finished collage. 

But she does receive UC so surely they could get the details from DWP if not I think she'll ask for a cheque as another member mentioned