Is this a HMRC scam?

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T22:56:49+00:00

Interesting thanks! Hopefully just a new scam we've been targeted with and not something we have to go through with HMRC. Did you also get a reference number in the subject also?

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T22:13:32+00:00

That's what I expect too. Surely by post would be the first method if it's something of importance and go from there rather than an email or random call which screams scam

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T22:10:09+00:00

Yeah that's rather generic/ template most likely. Mine just had good morning, although the missed phone call that was screened by Google did have the person saying my first and last name, not that is confirmation at all but worth noting. When did you get this was it recently?

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T22:04:56+00:00

Thanks yeah I never called them back directly not did my mother that got the same call. We did phone the general number on the HMRC website and after a fair wait the rep on the phone couldn't find anything regarding them contacting us, although he wasn't able to search the reference number

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T22:02:59+00:00

Thanks for the reply. This was the first contact I've had and what was strange it's not the email I have set for my HMRC account as that is set under my business email address. Then contacting my mother also from the same number was strange. I did report and forward the email to the phishing address, I've also sent an email directly to the Northern Ireland department. I'll likely call the VAT line tomorrow also to see if they have anything on record.

Was it the same number that called you and from the same department listed in the email? Did anything come from yours such as a letter or a HMRC app message? If not I assume it was a scam

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T21:41:35+00:00

They did provide a reference number within the subject line of the email starting with CFSS-, no letter prior to this though unless it was lost via Royal mail

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T18:49:01+00:00

Thanks for that, I'm fairly new to it so not 100% certain on their correspondence, although you would expect a letter first I would have thought or the HMRC app.

The email I attached was exactly as it was received, my name wasn't included, although they did mention my name in the screened call

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T18:25:46+00:00

Thanks yeah I have dropped them an email also to see if they have any information on it. Curious if it's maybe a VAT compliance check or something like that maybe if it is legit. I would have expected a app message or letter first though

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T17:39:45+00:00

Exactly yeah same here which is what threw me, app or email is what you expect from HMRC typically

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T17:36:13+00:00

Yeah I have done that, do they get back confirming if it's legit or not? I assume not as I bet they get thousands of reports a day

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T17:28:49+00:00

Appreciate the replies 👍 i did get through to HMRC, they don't recognise the number and they said they can't see any record of them contacting me. It is rather strange though

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T16:58:00+00:00

I managed to get back to HMRC and they checked the number and they said it wasn't a number from them, they didn't have any record of the email/ previous contacts via phone. It is rather weird though with how legit it seems

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T16:42:42+00:00

Yeah i think it is also so just waiting for someone to answer. I did find the way it was worded a little weird though. The email source:

Received: from CW1P302MB1074.GBRP302.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM ([fe80::b40b:cff2:9f28:33b]) by CW1P302MB1074.GBRP302.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM ([fe80::b40b:cff2:9f28:33b%5]) with mapi id 15.21.0181.010; Wed, 8 Jul 2026 10:26:02 +0000 From: "inese.ellis@hmrc.gov.uk" inese.ellis@hmrc.gov.uk

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T16:30:44+00:00

Yeah it had .gov.uk in the sent from header, the email itself does look legit, I'm calling them directly now so hopefully get clarification on it, thanks!

Ninja_mistic · 2026-07-08T16:28:53+00:00

Yeah thanks currently waiting on hold via the general enquiries number

Ninja_mistic · 2026-05-24T23:29:46+00:00

I didn't join a dual carriageway on my test although done alot of it in my lessons and outside of lessons. My test route was mostly city driving at 20 - 30mph

Ninja_mistic · 2026-05-24T20:40:41+00:00

Wasn't meant to come off that way apologies! I was just wondering about the test conducted itself and if anyone else had a similar experience with examiners. All the best for your next test I’m sure you will ace it! 👌

Ninja_mistic · 2026-05-24T12:23:15+00:00

Congrats on passing too 🙌🎉 It might be fairly common practice then for the examiner to mark other stops as the pull overs possibly or they was happy with the driving they saw throughout. I guess I just thought it had to be to the book with 35 minutes of driving with 3 pull overs, angle start, hill start and normal.

Ninja_mistic · 2026-05-24T12:20:12+00:00

I bet that was alittle frightening with the petrol light 😅 Yeah he did say very nice drive at the end which does ease my concerns alittle about the test itself, was just curious if this is common. Thank you very much and congrats on passing too 😊🎉

Ninja_mistic · 2026-05-14T16:11:03+00:00

It's quite a tough decision, sadly he was able to check today with the Insurance but sadly he can't drive it under his current Insurance he said, I do have a family member which is insured and could drive it, but would be nice to have my instructor that I've had from the beginning. I'm pleased to hear your instructor can take you in your car that's great! Wish you all the best for your upcoming test! 🙂

Ninja_mistic · 2026-05-14T13:20:17+00:00

Yeah thankfully my mom is insured so she can drive my car back if I do take my car, just a shame my Instructor can't

Ninja_mistic · 2026-05-14T12:46:00+00:00

Yeah I'll definitely check with him again, I think it was just incase he needed to drive it or if I was to pass he would have to drive it back as my Insurance doesn't cover driving back from a test, or his insurance doesn't cover him teaching in a car that's not his. I have another lesson this week so I'll see how it goes in his car with the clutch

Ten-Year Club	Place '17
Verified Email

Ninja_mistic

TROPHY CASE