How to verify the identity of an HMRC officer or an HMRC collector if they contact you in person.
Contact in person
Anyone representing HMRC will always identify themselves and explain why they are visiting you.
If you’re unsure about whether the person you are dealing with is a genuine HMRC officer, you can contact HMRC to check their identity and confirm they are an officer from HMRC.
Confirming an HMRC officer’s identity
The officer will show you their HMRC identification card, which includes their name, photograph and HMRC serial number.
- Make a note of the officer’s name and serial number.
- The officer will give you an HMRC telephone number (03000 565 656) to call.
- Call the number and give the HMRC adviser the officer’s name and serial number.
- The adviser will confirm whether the person is a genuine HMRC officer.
The telephone number provided by the HMRC officer:
- is only for verifying the identity of HMRC officers in face to face situations
- cannot help with queries about emails, letters or phone calls you have received from HMRC
You should not use this telephone number to contact HMRC for general enquiries.
If you do have a general enquiry you can contact HMRC.
Confirming an HMRC collector’s identity
An HMRC collector will usually visit you between 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
If a collector visits you at any other 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 identification card which will have their name, photograph and HMRC serial number on it.
- Make a note of the name and serial number on the card.
- Phone HMRC on 0300 200 3862.
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.
Report suspicious HMRC emails, texts, social media accounts and phone calls
Contact HMRC to report a suspicious email, social media account, phone call or text message that mentions HMRC.