To help people avoid phishing scams, the tax authority has issued an updated list of genuine contacts you might receive from HMRC in the coming months.
The period from April to May is a particular hotspot because that's when tax rebates are processed, making fake messages more plausible.
According to HMRC statistics released in November 2019, there were more than 900,000 such fake calls, text messages or emails in the preceding year.
In its latest update, it says individual taxpayers might hear from BMG Research conducting a survey on behalf of the Government on the subject of the Help to Save scheme.
Businesses might be contacted by Ipsos MORI with questions about customs processes.
Scam contacts are typically intended to trick people into handing over personal information that can be used to steal their identities or drain their bank accounts.
In its guidance on avoiding scams, HMRC says:
"Genuine organisations like HMRC and banks will never contact customers asking for their PIN, password or bank details. Customers should never give out private information, reply to text messages, download attachments or click on links in texts or emails which they are not expecting."