The letter, sent by mail, features a counterfeit HMRC logo and claims to be from the "Indv and Small Business Compliance" team. However, the most obvious sign of its inauthenticity is the email address provided, which lacks the official government domain (gov.uk) used in all legitimate HMRC correspondence.
Under the guise of a "government initiative to verify declared income" and prevent tax fraud, the letter asks businesses to submit various documents to prove their identity and financial status. The requested items include digital copies of bank statements spanning 13 months, VAT returns, filed accounts, and complete profit and loss statements. Notably, some of this information is not publicly available for smaller companies that file under micro or filleted account rules.
More alarmingly, the fraudsters also demand digital copies of passports or driving licenses, raising serious concerns about potential identity theft. They insist that only digital copies are acceptable, rejecting paper versions or screenshots.
While the letter's English is generally passable, there are subtle linguistic oddities that may raise suspicion among attentive readers. The most glaring red flag, however, is the response email address provided: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Authentic HMRC email addresses always end with @hmrc.gov.uk.
It's important to note that HMRC rarely requests information via email, typically communicating through physical mail or secure online portals and digital tax accounts. Business owners are advised to be vigilant and verify the authenticity of any unexpected communications claiming to be from HMRC.
If you have received a letter like the one shown please send it to us to investigate. Similarly any correspondence you receive from HMRC please send to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will validate its accuracy. Ensure to remain vigilant!
