During your claim, HMRC will genuinely post you letters — and because tax scams are common, it is smart to double-check before acting on anything. Here is how to tell what is real. ✅
Genuine HMRC contact you might receive
Genuine HMRC letters arrive in plain envelopes with HMRC branding. They do not ask you for money. If your claim triggers an HMRC Query, HMRC may post or email you directly — your adviser will let you know what to do.
Genuine HMRC letters never ask you to…
Pay a fee to release a refund
Share bank card PINs or passwords
Click a link to "claim now" by text or email with urgent deadlines
Rules of thumb
HMRC does not email or text about refunds with clickable payment links; that style of message is a scam.
Unsure about anything you have received? Photograph it and message us here — we will tell you straight away if it is genuine and what to do with it.