Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-a-phone-call-youve-received-from-hmrc-is-genuine

Change description : 2025-09-19 15:20:00: Information about ‘Research into arranging temporary work abroad’ has been added. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2025-02-24 09:42:16.145168348 +00:00..2025-09-19 14:20:25.960841276 +00:00

Guidance

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.

ResearchElectronic intoinvoicing arranging temporarysmall workand abroadmedium business usage and attitudes

From 2224 SeptemberFebruary 2025 up to and including 2831 NovemberMarch 2025, you may receive a phone call from independent research agency IFF Research.

IFF Research may contact you by phone, inviting you to take part in some research.

HMRC are working with IFF Research to better understand small and medium sized business awareness, use and attitudes towards e-invoicing.

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

HMRC will not be able to identify the individuals or businesses that take part.

Pension research

From 6 February 2025 up to and mayincluding contact28 March 2025, you bymay phone.receive a phone call from independent research agency People for Research.

TheyPeople for Research may invitecontact you by phone, inviting you to take part in some researchresearch.

HMRC is working with People for Research, to lookbetter intounderstand thecustomers’ experiences of businessesreceiving a pension.

The research will help guide the design and support of HMRC services for people who organisereceive temporarya workpension.

You abroad,may includingbe shortasked businessto trips.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:

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 2021

Last updated 1924 SeptemberFebruary 2025 + show hide all updates" href="#full-history">+ show all updates
    1. Information about ‘Research into arranging temporary work abroad’ has been added.

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Update history

2025-11-10 15:16
Contact date for ‘Inheritance Tax – nil rate bands’ has been extended to Friday 28 November 2025.

2025-10-01 15:31
Information about ‘Inheritance Tax – nil rate bands’ has been added.

2025-09-24 10:43
Added translation

2025-09-19 15:20
Information about ‘Research into arranging temporary work abroad’ has been added.

2025-02-24 09:42
Information about ‘Electronic invoicing – small and medium business usage and attitudes’ has been added.

2025-02-07 13:33
Information about pension research has been added.

2025-01-22 14:11
Information about ‘temporary overseas working – social security research’ has been added.

2025-01-22 10:58
Information about ‘VAT on private school fees – registration reminder’ has been added.

2024-04-12 09:20
Information about Capital Gains Tax when selling a rental property research has been added.

2023-12-18 09:12
Information about Single Trade Window user testing has been added to the page.

2023-12-06 12:27
Research on Enterprise Investment Schemes has been extended to Wednesday 31 January 2024.

2023-12-01 14:38
Information about Enterprise Investment Schemes research has been added.

2023-08-30 07:57
Added translation

2023-08-24 12:37
Inheritance Tax and property valuation research and customs declaration follow-up research contacts added.

2023-06-20 10:34
We have added ‘New starter checklist research’ and removed ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – research about employers’ experiences’.

2023-01-05 12:14
Research on employers’ experiences of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been added.

2022-04-29 11:55
Added translation

2022-04-22 12:46
Added information on Self Assessment tax return – research with first-time customers.

2022-02-28 10:21
Added information on Haulier’s Survey.

2022-02-18 12:56
Added information on research to understand customer experiences of making a tax code amendment or correction.