Real HMRC / IRS Letter vs Tax Scam Call
How to tell a genuine tax-authority letter from a threatening phone scam claiming you owe taxes.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Real tax authorities — HMRC in the UK, the IRS in the US — do contact people about overdue amounts, but they follow strict procedures. Scammers impersonate them with urgency, threats, and unusual payment demands that no real authority would make.
Side-by-side comparison
| Genuine tax authority contact | Tax scam call or message | |
|---|---|---|
| First contact method | Sends a formal letter by post before any phone call | Opens with an unsolicited call, email, or text threatening immediate arrest or penalty |
| Payment methods accepted | Bank transfer to official account, online portal, or cheque — never gift cards or crypto | Demands gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency to resolve the 'debt' immediately |
| Tone and urgency | Formal and factual; gives time to respond and right to appeal | Threatens arrest, deportation, or licence suspension within hours unless you pay now |
| Caller ID | May call from a published number; always refers you back to official website to verify | Spoofs an official number; discourages you from hanging up or checking independently |
| Personal detail handling | Never asks for full bank details, passwords, or PIN over the phone | Asks you to confirm bank account, sort code, or social security number to 'release the hold' |
| Right to verify | Encourages you to call back on the number on your official correspondence | Insists you stay on the line; says calling back will invalidate your case |
Common red flags
- Caller demands gift cards, crypto, or immediate wire transfer
- Threatens police arrest if you hang up
- Refuses to let you call back on the official published number
- Claims your case is sealed and cannot be discussed with an adviser
- Asks for passwords, PINs, or card CVV numbers
Verification steps
- Hang up and call the number printed on your latest official letter or on the official government website
- Log in to your tax account on the official portal to check for any genuine notices
- Check the caller ID against numbers published on the official site — but remember numbers can be spoofed
- Ask a tax professional or Citizens Advice before making any payment
What not to do
- Do not stay on the line under pressure — hang up and verify independently
- Do not buy gift cards or send cryptocurrency to settle any claimed tax debt
- Do not give bank details, passwords, or payment card numbers to an incoming caller
A safe response
Hang up, then contact the tax authority directly using contact details from their official website or your own correspondence. A genuine case will still be there when you call back.
Frequently asked questions
Will I be arrested if I hang up on a tax call?
No. Tax authorities do not have police powers and do not threaten immediate arrest over unpaid tax. Any caller who makes that threat is running a scam.
Can real tax authorities send texts or emails?
Some do send brief notifications by email or text, but they direct you to log in to your existing account on the official site — they never include a payment link or ask for credentials in the message itself.