2

Foreword

I have received an e-mail from [email protected] with subject Check your PAYE code change online which tells me to sign in my "personal tax account" to check my details.

The question

In order to sign in I first need to prove my identity. To do so, I need to create an account. At the end, I need to prove my identity via postoffice. When doing so, I basically get stuck here: enter image description here

The address I've already provided is the only address where I've been living in UK (except for the first month, when I stayed in a suite paied by my company).

What can I do?

Besides, the little warning triangle at the top shows this:

Operating hours Our service desk is providing support under reduced operating hours.

Monday to Friday: Phone from 08:00 to 18:00 Live chat from 08:00 to 22:00

Saturday and Sunday: Phone and live chat from 08:00 to 12:00

and now it's 14:16 on Sunday. Does the above mean that something will change on this page tomorrow?

Improve this question
10
  • Are you certain.that the email isn’t a scam? icpa.org.uk/news/507484/… It sure looks like it could be to me Have you tried checking your PAYE code through the official HMRC site gov.uk/log-in-register-hmrc-online-services
    – Traveller
    Commented Feb 7, 2021 at 16:11
  • Did you actually change your 'PAYE code' beforehand? @Traveller comment would be very valid if that is not the case. Such systems are normally self contained (i.e. validation within one application) to avoid scams.
    – Mark Johnson
    Commented Feb 7, 2021 at 16:45
  • [email protected] is the address I've received the e-mail from. Is it scam?!
    – Enlico
    Commented Feb 7, 2021 at 16:53
  • @Enlico I am pretty certain the email is a scam. Use the official HMRC site to check your coding is correct gov.uk/tax-codes
    – Traveller
    Commented Feb 7, 2021 at 19:39
  • @Mark Johnson PAYE codes themselves can’t be changed by individuals, only by HMRC from information provided by eg the employer, or by the individual submitting a tax return. This email is a scam, IMHO, unfortunately
    – Traveller
    Commented Feb 7, 2021 at 19:43

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

The result from Verifying the Email - Email Checker for '[email protected]' is

  • BAD The mailbox doesn't exist.

Assume this is a fraud attempt.
This may be caused by the noreply portion, so this method is not conclusive.

I called HMRC and they've confirmed that the e-mail is authentic, also suggesting that I ask my company for more details about what's happening.

Maybe also a personal appointment can be arranged at 'The Post Office' to clarify matters that can't be done online.

As an Italian, you are probably registered in the Registry of Italians Resident Abroad (A.I.R.E.), which should confirm since when you have been living in the United Kingdom explaining why there is only one address.

General rule #1 is not to give out personal information over the Internet.

This could be used by others to impersonate you

'I hereby request, with this varified proof of my identity, that all my money be transferred to the following account in the Caymon Islands... '

You should ask your employer, who uses this Tax code (PAYE) number, if everything is correct.

They will probably have a better contact with the HMRC who could determine if this requst really came from them or is a scam/fraud attempt.

Improve this answer
4
  • I have several legitimate e-mails in my box from some [email protected] address for which the link you provided claims they don't exist. Therefore, I'd say that tool is unreliable.
    – Enlico
    Commented Feb 8, 2021 at 7:49
  • Furthermore, as I wrote in the question and in the comments, the e-mail is not asking for personal information. It is just giving me links belonging to the (well known) domain https://www.gov.uk/ and telling me I need to take action from there, which I tried to do.
    – Enlico
    Commented Feb 8, 2021 at 7:52
  • I called HMRC and they've confirmed that the e-mail is authentic, also suggesting that I ask my company for more details about what's happening.
    – Enlico
    Commented Feb 10, 2021 at 8:19
  • @Enlico I have adapted the answer and added some information that might be helpfull.
    – Mark Johnson
    Commented Feb 10, 2021 at 9:24
0

I would be very, very, very reluctant to reply to an email that claims to come from HMRC, and I’d definitely not give them any information that they should have or any personal information.

It is most likely a scam. If not then someone at HMRC deserves a kicking for sending email that look like scams.

Improve this answer
0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.