Check if a phone call you've received from HMRC is genuine
Check a list of recent phone contacts from HMRC to help you decide if a phone call you've received is a scam.
If your phone call is not listed here check HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method.
Debt management
HMRC is sending voice prompts to some customers, explaining what you need to do if you’re behind with your payments. Customers will receive these as an inbound phone call to landline and mobile phones. They will give details for paying HMRC, or a helpline number for you to contact.
HMRC is also sending messages that give advice about how important it is to make payments using the correct information.
The messages will not ask for any personal or financial information.
Pension research
From 6 February 2025 up to and including 28 March 2025, you may receive a phone call from independent research agency People for Research.
People for Research may contact you by phone, inviting you to take part in some research.
HMRC is working with People for Research, to better understand customers’ experiences of receiving a pension.
The research will help guide the design and support of HMRC services for people who receive a pension.
You may be asked to take part in a 60-minute interview online, by phone or in person in Manchester.
Taking part is voluntary. Any information you give will be:
- confidential
- used for research purposes only
- held securely at all times in line with data protection law
VAT on private school fees — registration reminder
From 22 January 2025 up to and including 21 March 2025, you may receive a phone call from HMRC.
HMRC may contact you by phone to remind you about VAT registration if you’re a private school in the UK.
We will:
- ask you to check if you must register for VAT if you receive private school fees
- direct you to any further guidance you need
Other phone calls you should check
You can also check phone calls listed in HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method.
Updates to this page
Published 30 July 2021Last updated 7 February 2025 + show all updates
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Information about pension research has been added.
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Information about 'temporary overseas working — social security research' has been added.
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Information about 'VAT on private school fees — registration reminder' has been added.
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Information about Capital Gains Tax when selling a rental property research has been added.
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Information about Single Trade Window user testing has been added to the page.
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Research on Enterprise Investment Schemes has been extended to Wednesday 31 January 2024.
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Information about Enterprise Investment Schemes research has been added.
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Added translation
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Inheritance Tax and property valuation research and customs declaration follow-up research contacts added.
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We have added 'New starter checklist research' and removed 'Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme — research about employers' experiences'.
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Research on employers' experiences of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been added.
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Added translation
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Added information on Self Assessment tax return — research with first-time customers.
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Added information on Haulier's Survey.
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Added information on research to understand customer experiences of making a tax code amendment or correction.
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Added 'Digital Products and Services ― research with businesses and agents' section.
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Added 'VAT returns communications campaign ― research with businesses' section.
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A road hauliers survey will be carried out between August 2021 and 31 October 2021.You may get a telephone call from IFF Research to invite you to take part.
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Added translation