Fake HMRC Redelivery-Card or Document-Collection Scam
Scammers leave fake physical cards or send texts pretending to be HMRC, claiming a tax document or HMRC letter requires collection or a redelivery fee before it can be forwarded. HMRC does not use redelivery cards, collection fees, or payment links to deliver official correspondence.
Part of: Fake Redelivery Card Scams
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026
Physical 'sorry we missed you' card scams have expanded beyond courier brands. Fraudsters place printed cards through letterboxes or send text messages claiming to be from HMRC, stating that an official tax document — perhaps a P60, a Self Assessment notice, or a government identity document — was attempted for delivery and requires either a small redelivery fee or a visit to a website to arrange collection.
The goal is to direct recipients to a phishing website where card details, Government Gateway credentials, or National Insurance numbers are harvested. The use of a physical card adds a layer of believability that a purely digital scam cannot match.
HMRC sends official correspondence as standard Royal Mail post or through the Government Gateway digital tax account. There are no HMRC courier deliveries that require a redelivery fee, and HMRC does not use QR codes on physical cards leading to payment sites.
How this scam works on the HMRC brand
A card through the door reads: 'HMRC attempted to deliver an important tax document to your address. A redelivery fee of £2.95 is required. Arrange redelivery at: [URL with short code].' The site behind the link is a fake gov.uk-styled page capturing card details.
The text-message version says: 'HMRC: We were unable to deliver a tax document to your address. Pay a £1.99 redelivery fee to arrange redelivery: [link].' Both variants add urgency, claiming the document will be destroyed or a penalty applied if not claimed within five days.
In reality, HMRC mails correspondence as ordinary post using Royal Mail. P60s are issued by employers, not delivered by HMRC. Self Assessment tax returns and notices are accessible via your Government Gateway account at gov.uk without any collection or redelivery process.
Common red flags
- Physical card or text claiming HMRC attempted delivery and a fee is required
- URL on the card or in the text is not gov.uk
- Card printed on low-quality paper with font inconsistencies
- HMRC reference number on the card is not in a format matching real HMRC correspondence
- Urgency language: document destroyed or penalty applied within 48 to 72 hours
- Card asks you to phone a non-gov.uk number
- Fee required for 'redelivery' of a government document — HMRC does not charge for correspondence delivery
How to protect yourself
- Log in to your Government Gateway account at gov.uk/hmrc to check for any genuine pending notices
- Call HMRC's genuine helpline at 0300 200 3300 to verify if any document was sent to you
- Never pay a redelivery fee for HMRC correspondence
- Do not phone any number printed on a suspicious card
- Photograph the card and report it to Action Fraud
- Forward any smishing texts to 7726
- Report phishing pages to [email protected]
How to report it
- Report to HMRC at [email protected]
- Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040
- Forward texts to 7726
- Report to the NCSC at [email protected]
- If you paid, contact your bank's fraud line immediately
Frequently asked questions
Does HMRC deliver documents by courier and charge a redelivery fee?
No. HMRC sends correspondence by ordinary Royal Mail post or through your Government Gateway digital tax account. There are no HMRC courier deliveries, and no redelivery fee is ever charged for tax correspondence.
How do I access official HMRC letters?
Log in to your Government Gateway account at gov.uk/hmrc. Your tax account contains all notices, calculations, and correspondence sent to you digitally. Physical letters are delivered as standard post to your registered address.
I called the number on the card and gave my bank details. What should I do?
Contact your bank immediately to freeze your account and reverse any transactions. Report the incident to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk and call HMRC on 0300 200 3300 to alert them.