HMRC launches fraud hotline
HMRC has launched a new hotline for the public to report fraud and evasion, replacing the existing two separate tax evasion and customs hotlines with one, in a bid to streamline information gathering on tax fraud.
Individuals can report all kinds of tax fraud and evasion on the new hotline, including PAYE and National Insurance fraud, undisclosed offshore investments, non-payment of the national minimum wage, tax credit fraud, failure to pay UK duty, tax evasion and VAT fraud.
In the last financial year HMRC received over 113,000 reports from members of the public providing information to the department.
Jennie Granger, HMRC’s director general for customer compliance, said: ‘Information provided by the public is a crucial element of HMRC’s work to close the tax gap, so it’s vital that the reporting process is as simple and accessible as possible.
‘We encourage the public to continue to work with us and report any suspected fraud or evasion to us for investigation.’
The HMRC Fraud Hotline – on 0800 788 887 – is open between 8am – 8pm seven days a week, 365 days a year. It is also possible to report online using a digital form available on Gov.uk.
