HMRC have announced new arrangements for verifying visits to taxpayers by debt management and banking field force collectors, which can take place at a taxpayer’s home or business premises.
HMRC have announced new arrangements for verifying visits to taxpayers by debt management and banking field force collectors, which can take place at a taxpayer’s home or business premises.
Advance warning is always provided but a taxpayer may still have doubts when facing an unrecognised visitor, according to the Revenue, which has introduced a new field force verification helpline that allows people to check the validity of a debt collector. Taxpayers call 0300 200 3862 and provide the visitor’s photo identification number. The operator will then confirm whether or not the caller is a genuine HMRC collector.
The department has produced a leaflet to explain the purpose of collection visits, and the rights and responsibilities of taxpayers. Every taxpayer visited will be given a copy by the collector on arrival. It includes details of the field force verification helpline, which is also listed on the Revenue’s site.
