If you suspect misuse of your National Insurance number, report identity fraud to Action Fraud and contact HMRC National Insurance enquiries on 0300 200 3500. A National Insurance number is your lifelong UK identifier for tax, employment and benefits, so prompt reporting limits further harm.
Start with Action Fraud to record the crime and get a reference number. Then alert the agency that holds the affected record — HMRC for tax and contributions, or the Department for Work and Pensions for benefits. Keep dates, messages and account entries together for each report.
Table of Contents
- Report identity fraud to Action Fraud
- Tell HMRC about National Insurance misuse
- Check your National Insurance record for clues
- Report benefit fraud linked to your number
- Add protection and reject the "suspended number" scam
Report identity fraud to Action Fraud
Action Fraud is the UK's national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. According to Action Fraud's national identity fraud guidance, victims should report online through its reporting tool or call 0300 123 2040 to obtain a crime reference. Use that reference when you contact banks, employers or government departments.
It links later reports to the same incident. Save the reference, the report date and any call handler details. Report even when the loss is still unclear. An early record helps if a loan, job or tax entry appears later in your name.
Tell HMRC about National Insurance misuse
Contact HMRC National Insurance enquiries on 0300 200 3500 if you fear scam use or misuse. GOV.UK guidance says people worried about a possible scam should make that call and separately report the suspicious phone call, email or text to HMRC, as explained in GOV.UK's National Insurance enquiries page. HMRC also runs a dedicated Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887 for PAYE and National Insurance fraud.
The hotline operates 8am-8pm, seven days a week. Use it when the misuse involves pay, an employer or contributions. If you shared details with a suspected HMRC impersonator, act on HMRC staff advice:.
- email the HMRC Security Team at [email protected]
- contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 if you disclosed bank details or passwords
- keep the original message, number, link and time of contact
Check your National Insurance record for clues
Open your HMRC Personal Tax Account and review your National Insurance record. HMRC staff advise checking for unfamiliar employers, gaps or unexpected entries, then contacting HMRC with evidence. Take screenshots and note employer names, tax years and amounts.
Do not edit the official record yourself. Send HMRC what you found and ask what to submit next. This check is useful after phishing, a lost wallet or a data-breach notice. A strange employer entry can reveal misuse before a tax bill or benefit problem appears.
Report benefit fraud linked to your number
Report suspected benefit fraud to the Department for Work and Pensions. According to DWP's benefit fraud reporting route, reports can be made online at gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud or through the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440. Use this route when you receive benefit letters you did not claim. It also applies when someone else appears to claim using your identity.
Give the date, type of benefit and any reference numbers shown. Keep your Action Fraud reference separate but available. DWP handles the benefit claim, while Action Fraud records the identity-fraud crime.
Add protection and reject the "suspended number" scam
Ask Cifas about Protective Registration if your details are at risk. The Cifas service places a warning marker on the National Fraud Database, telling member lenders and firms to carry out extra identity checks before granting credit in that name. Treat urgent calls about your number with suspicion.
According to Action Fraud's warning on the National Insurance scam, a National Insurance number is issued once for life and cannot be suspended, cancelled or reissued on demand. Hang up on automated calls saying your number is compromised and telling you to press 1. Do not supply personal, banking or login details to the caller.
You Might Also Like
- Stolen Email Addresses: How to Review Account Recovery Before a Scammer Tries It
- Data Breach Exposed Your Phone Number: Warning Signs of an Attempted SIM Swap
- UK Data Breach Recovery: What to Do if Someone Opens an Account in Your Name