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Updated on 22 May 2026

Is that HMRC letter genuine? Here’s how to check safely before you act

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Criminals have become very good at copying HMRC’s branding, using official-sounding language and even including fake reference numbers, and it can be hard to know what’s real and what isn’t. It is important that you stay safe from scammers – but it is also important not to ignore genuine communications from HMRC! Here we set out some tips to help you stay safe.

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What to do if you get a letter that looks like it is from HMRC

When a brown envelope arrives on the doormat claiming to be from HMRC, it can feel worrying for some people. Tax can feel complicated, especially if you’ve never had to deal with HMRC before. And with the rise in scam letters, texts and emails – which have become more sophisticated – you might be unsure if the letter is real or a scam. 

In this article we set out what you can do to check if a letter you have received is genuine, to ensure you are keeping safe from the scammers – but also keeping on top of your tax affairs.

  Ignoring a genuine HMRC letter can cause real problems – especially if there is action you need to take or a tax bill that needs to be paid. Always seek to verify the letter if you are unsure!  

What are common signs of a scam?

Firstly, it is important to know common signs of a scam: 

  • Scam letters often use pressure tactics – telling you to act immediately or threatening legal action, without any previous contact. 
  • They may ask for personal information, such as bank details or unusual types of payments. 
  • They may suggest you are entitled to a refund but do not explain why.

HMRC will never ask for bank details by text, email or over the phone, and they will never ask for payment through gift cards, vouchers or QR codes. 

If anything feels strange or too urgent, take a step back and check if the letter is genuine, safely.

Is the letter on HMRC’s list of genuine letters?

If you are concerned that a letter might be a scam, the first step is to compare the letter with the official list of genuine HMRC letters on GOV.UK. HMRC publish the names, reference numbers and descriptions of the letters they are currently sending out. If your letter appears on that list, that’s a strong sign that it is genuine. If it doesn’t appear on the list – don’t panic, it might still be genuine, but it is a sign to take extra care.

Does the letter contain genuine HMRC contact details?

Next, look at the contact details printed on the letter, but don’t use them just yet. Scam letters often include fake phone numbers or email addresses. Here are some tips that might help:

  • Real HMRC email addresses always end in @hmrc.gov.uk
  • GOV.UK lists the correct phone numbers and addresses for each HMRC department. If the number on your letter does not match the one on GOV.UK, that might be a warning sign. If it does match the number on GOV.UK, that’s reassuring.
  • If you are in any doubt, the safest thing you can do is to contact HMRC using the details on the GOV.UK website, not the ones in the letter. 

  If you are unable to find the phone number for the department which you believe the letter has been sent from, then we suggest calling the general contact number on GOV.UK for the relevant tax area. For example, there are main helplines for Self Assessment, Income Tax (which would include matters connected to PAYE), Child Benefit etc. This guarantees you are speaking to a real HMRC adviser. You can read out the reference number and wording from your letter to the HMRC adviser, and they should be able confirm whether it is genuine and explain what it means. This protects you from scams while making sure you don’t miss something important. 

A final word

If you are still unsure, don’t ignore the letter. Many people fall into tax debt simply because they were too worried to open or check a genuine HMRC notice. Even if you’ve done nothing wrong, issues like tax code errors, employer reporting mistakes or tax underpayments can arise without your knowledge – leading to problems later if matters are not dealt with. Checking the letter safely rather than avoiding it is the best way to protect yourself.

  Letters are not the only communication methods used by scammers – you should also pay attention to text messages, emails and phone calls. For more information please see our dedicated webpage – Tax: protecting yourself against HMRC related scams.

You can also read more about reporting scam communications to HMRC on GOV.UK.

We would love to hear what you think about this subject – you can share your comments below.

Please note all comments are moderated in line with our comment guidelines, so there might be a short delay before your comment is published if it meets the guidelines.

Heather Coley
Technical officer

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