Search HMRC letters
Reality check: HMRC sometimes sends letters that look like demands but are routine notifications. The only authoritative source for whether you owe tax is your HMRC personal tax account at gov.uk/personal-tax-account. Never act on a letter you can’t reconcile with the account.
Spotting fake "HMRC" letters and texts
HMRC scams are extremely common. A real HMRC letter:
- Comes by post (not by email or text) for anything significant.
- Uses your full name and an HMRC reference / NI number you recognise.
- Never asks you to pay by gift card, cryptocurrency, or via a private bank transfer to a "personal" account.
- Never threatens immediate arrest, deportation, or asset seizure within 24 hours — those are scammer hallmarks.
- If a text or email claims to be HMRC, do not click any link. Sign in to your HMRC account separately and check the messages there.
Report suspicious HMRC contact: forward emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk; forward texts to 60599. Full guidance: gov.uk — report HMRC scams.