Verify the authenticity of an HMRC communication

HMRC’s published guidance titled ‘Check genuine HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method’ has been updated. The list is intended to help taxpayers check if recent contacts purporting to be from HMRC are actually a scam.

The guidance contains a list of emails, phone calls, letters and text messages, recently issued by HMRC, that are genuine. The list can be useful to help taxpayers decide if a contact is genuine or from a fraudster trying to trick taxpayers into supplying confidential or personal information.

Some of the most recent additions to the list include the following:

• Pension schemes migration. HMRC may contact you if you are a pension scheme administrator by email or phone call from 3 September 2024, up to and including 18 October 2024. They will remind you that you need to migrate your pension schemes to the Managing pension schemes (MPS) service.
• Cryptoasset research. HMRC is working with independent research agency Ipsos who are carrying out research into the cryptoasset industry. From 16 September 2024 up to and including 29 November 2024, you may receive a phone call, email or letter to take part in the research.
• Customs authorisations survey improvement. HMRC is working with independent research agency People for Research to sign up participants to take part in a research session. From 24 September 2024 up to and including 25 October 2024 you may be contacted by email or phone call to take part in an online research session using Microsoft Teams. The research session will collect feedback to assist HMRC in improving a survey for traders and intermediaries regarding their experiences with applying for customs authorisations.

Participation in any of these research items is voluntary.