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What to do if…
you receive a letter saying you may owe a penalty for an official filing you did not submit

Short answer

Don’t pay or respond using the letter’s contact details. Pause, treat it as potentially fraudulent or misdirected, and verify the claim using official channels you find independently.

Do not do these things

  • Do not call the phone number on the letter, click links, or pay via any QR code unless you’ve first confirmed the letter is genuine via official guidance.
  • Do not give personal, tax, or business details “to confirm identity” just because the letter looks official.
  • Do not panic-pay to “stop enforcement” — urgency and threats are common pressure tactics in scams.
  • Do not throw the letter away — keep it (and the envelope) in case you need to reference it later.
  • Do not forward photos of any QR code/link to others in a way that could prompt them to scan it without checking.

What to do now

  1. Stop and label it “unverified”. Decide you will only act via official routes you look up yourself (not the ones printed on the letter).
  2. Capture the evidence. Photograph/scan the whole letter (front/back) and the envelope. Write down: organisation name, reference numbers, the alleged filing type/period, the amount, and any deadline.
  3. Verify the sender using an official website you navigate to yourself.
    • If it claims to be HMRC, use HMRC’s guidance to check whether the letter (and any QR code) is genuine, then use contact routes reached via GOV.UK.
    • If it claims to be Companies House, use Companies House scam guidance and contact details from GOV.UK.
    • If it claims to be DVLA / local authority / a court / a regulator, find that body’s official page on GOV.UK and use the published contact details there.
  4. Do one “reality check” against your own records. Look for a submission confirmation, receipt, reference, or email trail for the filing the letter names (or check whether your accountant submitted it). If it’s a company matter, check the public Companies House record to see what’s actually been filed.
  5. Call the real organisation using verified contact details and ask only for confirmation. A simple script:
    • “I received a letter saying I may owe a penalty for a filing I did not submit. I’m calling via the contact details on GOV.UK. Can you confirm whether this reference is genuine and whether my account shows a missing filing or penalty?”
  6. If you suspect fraud or identity misuse, take one protective action immediately.
    • If you believe it’s a scam attempt, report it to Report Fraud (the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting service).
    • If you live in Scotland, fraud reporting routes can differ; if you need police involvement, Police Scotland can be reached via 101 (or 999 in an emergency).
    • If you already paid or shared bank details, contact your bank immediately using the number on your card/app.
  7. If it’s connected to a business, alert the right person without spreading panic. Tell your accountant/company secretary/director: “We’ve received an unverified penalty notice. I’m verifying via GOV.UK channels. Please don’t respond using any details on the letter until it’s confirmed genuine.”

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether it’s a scam or an administrative error — your only job now is verification via official channels.
  • You do not need to argue with the letter writer or draft explanations until you’ve confirmed the notice is genuine.
  • You do not need to pay “to stop it getting worse” until the organisation confirms the penalty is real and connected to you/your business.

Important reassurance

These letters are often either (a) scams designed to create urgency, or (b) genuine notices triggered by a records mismatch or sent to the wrong person. Taking a short pause to verify first is the safest move and prevents the two big harms: paying a scammer or accidentally handing over information.

Scope note

This covers first steps to prevent loss and verify what’s real. If the notice turns out to be genuine, next steps depend on the specific body and filing type, and you may want specialist help for appeals, corrections, or identity misuse.

Important note

This is general information for immediate harm-prevention, not legal advice. Processes and contact routes vary by organisation; always use independently found official contact details before paying, sharing information, or making admissions.

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