Guidance

Confirm the identity of someone representing HMRC

Verify the identity of an officer from the HMRC Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) or a HMRC collector if they contact you in person.

From:
HM Revenue & Customs
Published
5 September 2023
Last updated
29 September 2023 — See all updates

Anyone who is representing HMRC will always identify themselves and explain why they are contacting you when they visit you.

You can contact HMRC to check their details and confirm they are representing HMRC.

Confirm a HMRC FIS officer’s identity

If you’re visited Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm

  1. The officer will show you their HMRC identification card, which will have their name, photograph and HMRC serial number on it.
  2. Make a note of the name on the card.
  3. Phone HMRC on 0300 200 3700.
  4. Give the name from the identification card to the adviser, so they can confirm that the person represents HMRC.

Find out about call charges.

If you’re visited at any other time

  1. The officer will show you their HMRC identification card, which will have their name, photograph and HMRC serial number on it.
  2. The officer will also give you an access code to use to confirm their identity.
  3. Make a note of the name on the card and the access code.
  4. Phone HMRC on 0300 123 2012 and enter the access code straight away. You do not have to listen to the recorded message before entering the code.
  5. Give the name from the identification card to the adviser, so they can confirm that the person represents HMRC.

Find out about call charges.

Confirm a HMRC collector’s identity

A HMRC collector will usually visit you between 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

If a collector visits you at any another time and you want to confirm their identity, arrange an appointment with them to return between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

The collector will show you their HMRC identify card which will have their name, photograph and HMRC serial number on it.

  1. Make a note of the name and serial number on the card.
  2. Phone HMRC on 0300 200 3862.
  3. Give the name and serial number on the card to the adviser, so they can confirm that the person represents HMRC.

Find out about call charges.

Get more information

You can check a list of genuine HMRC contacts to help you decide if any contact you have received is from HMRC, or is a scam from a fraudster.

Updates to this page

Published 5 September 2023
Last updated 29 September 2023 + show all updates

  1. The phone number to confirm a HMRC FIS officer’s identity if you’re visited Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm has been updated.

  2. Welsh translation added.

  3. First published.

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