HMRC has recently published updated guidance highlighting the ongoing risk of fraudulent letters, as scams continue to become more sophisticated and harder to identify.

We want to help you stay informed, protected, and confident when dealing with anything that looks like it’s from HMRC.

We are seeing a growing number of clients contacting us after receiving unexpected correspondence from HMRC and asking a simple but important question: is this genuine?

In many cases, the answer is yes. HMRC regularly writes to individuals and businesses for entirely legitimate reasons. These can include reviewing National Insurance contributions, notifying taxpayers of overpayments or refunds, requesting further information to process claims, or highlighting overdue liabilities. More recently, communications have also been issued in relation to Making Tax Digital and changes to tax codes.

The difficulty is that scam communications often mirror these scenarios, making it increasingly challenging to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent contact.

HMRC’s guidance confirms that authentic letters will typically provide clear context, explaining why the recipient is being contacted and referencing specific details such as tax years, employment history or known records. They will also direct recipients to official channels or recognised GOV.UK services.

By contrast, correspondence that requests personal or financial information via unofficial email addresses, particularly those not ending in “@hmrc.gov.uk”, should be treated with caution. Equally, any communication that creates a sense of urgency or pressure to act quickly warrants further scrutiny.

The key point is that while unexpected contact from HMRC is not unusual, it should always be approached carefully. Taking a moment to verify the authenticity of a letter before responding can help prevent unnecessary exposure to risk.

If you receive correspondence from HMRC and are unsure how to proceed, we recommend seeking advice before taking action. We regularly support clients in reviewing HMRC communications, confirming whether they are genuine, and advising on the appropriate next steps.

This latest update from HMRC is a timely reminder that while the majority of correspondence is legitimate, vigilance remains essential.