What to do if…
you receive a letter demanding payment for an official filing you did not submit

What to do now

1. Mark it as unverified. Put the letter aside and decide that you will only use contact details from GOV.UK, the organisation’s official website, your secure online account, or a known professional adviser.
2. Record what it says without acting on it. Photograph or scan the whole letter and envelope. Write down the organisation name, reference numbers, alleged filing type, period, amount, deadline, payment route, QR code wording, and return address.
3. Check the organisation through an official route you found yourself.
   • If it claims to be from HMRC, check HMRC guidance on genuine letters and HMRC QR codes, then use a GOV.UK route or your official tax account.
   • If it claims to be from Companies House, check Companies House scam guidance on GOV.UK and do not use any payment details, web page, or QR code from a suspicious letter.
   • If it claims to be from DVLA, a local authority, a court, or a regulator, search GOV.UK or the body’s official website and use only the published contact route there.
4. Check your own records once. Look for a submission receipt, confirmation email, online account message, accountant email, or filing reference for the filing named in the letter. If it is about a company, check the public Companies House record for what has actually been filed.
5. Ask only for confirmation through the verified route. Use wording like: “I received a letter saying I may owe a penalty for a filing I did not submit. I am contacting you through details I found independently. Can you confirm whether this reference is genuine and whether my record shows a missing filing or penalty?”
6. If it looks like fraud or identity misuse, take one protective action.
   • If a company appears to be using your name or address without permission, use the GOV.UK Companies House route for reporting personal details used without permission.
   • If you are in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland and suspect fraud, report it to Report Fraud.
   • If you are in Scotland and suspect fraud, report it to Police Scotland on 101, or use 999 if there is an immediate emergency.
   • If you have already paid, shared bank details, or entered card details, contact your bank immediately using the number on your card or in your banking app.
7. If it relates to a business, alert the right person calmly. Tell the accountant, company secretary, director, or filing contact: “We have received an unverified penalty notice. I am checking it through official channels. Please do not respond using the details on the letter unless it is confirmed genuine.”