Quick answer
A convincing letterhead, logo, reference number or formal tone does not prove a letter is genuine. To verify any letter from an official organisation, contact that organisation directly — using a phone number or address you find independently on their official website, not using contact details printed on the letter itself.
Letters that arrive by post feel more trustworthy than emails or texts. There's something about physical paper that suggests legitimacy. Criminals know this, which is exactly why fraudulent letters are sent. A well-printed letter claiming to be from HMRC, a debt collector, a court or a council can cause real distress and prompt people to act quickly without checking first.
This guide will help you slow down, spot the warning signs, and verify any suspicious letter safely before doing anything it asks.
Letters can look completely official and still be fake
Fraudulent letters can include your full name and address, realistic reference numbers, correct government logos, formal legal language, and the name of a real organisation. None of these details prove the letter is genuine. Your personal details are available through various sources including electoral roll data, previous data breaches, and public records.
The most convincing fraudulent letters often claim to be from organisations that carry authority — HMRC, courts, councils, solicitors, bailiffs, or the DVLA. They rely on the anxiety these names create to make you act quickly without thinking clearly.
Common types of fraudulent letter
Fake debt demands claim you owe money to a utility company, council, HMRC, or financial institution. They may include reference numbers, court case numbers, or legal language to make the threat feel real.
Fake court and bailiff letters claim you are subject to legal proceedings or that bailiffs have been instructed to attend your address. These are designed to cause panic and prompt immediate payment.
Fake HMRC letters claim you owe tax, are under investigation, or are entitled to a refund (with a QR code or phone number to claim it). HMRC does send letters, but you can verify any HMRC communication through your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk.
Fake prize or inheritance letters inform you that you've won something or are entitled to an unclaimed sum, and ask you to pay an upfront fee to claim it. There is no prize and no sum — only the fee.
Warning signs to look for
- The letter demands immediate payment or action within a very short deadline — same day or 24–48 hours
- It threatens serious consequences — court action, bailiff attendance, arrest — for a matter you have no prior knowledge of
- The phone number or website does not match the official contact details you can find independently
- It includes a QR code asking you to scan and pay, or to verify your details
- The return address is a PO Box or vague address with no verifiable location
- It requests payment by an unusual method — bank transfer, prepaid card, vouchers, or cryptocurrency
- The letter includes personal details and claims this proves it is genuine — this does not confirm authenticity
- The grammar, formatting or tone is slightly off — though note that scam letters can also be well-written
- It asks you not to contact anyone else about the matter, or to keep the communication confidential
How to verify a letter safely
If a letter makes you uneasy, do this first:
- Do not call the number on the letter until you have verified it independently
- Do not scan any QR code on the letter until you have confirmed the letter is genuine
- Do not pay anything until you have verified the debt or obligation is real
- Search for the organisation by name — find their official website independently and note their official contact number
- Compare that number to the one printed on the letter — if they match, it is safer to call
- Contact the organisation using the independently found number and quote the reference on the letter to check if it is genuine
- If the letter claims to be from HMRC, check your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk or call the official HMRC helpline found on gov.uk
QR codes and phone numbers on letters
A QR code on a letter can lead to a fraudulent website just as easily as a QR code in a text message. If the letter appears to be from HMRC, a court, a council, or a financial body, do not scan the QR code until you have verified the letter is genuine through an independent route.
Similarly, do not call the phone number printed on a letter you're uncertain about. If the letter is fraudulent, that number connects to the scammer — who will play the role of the organisation convincingly. Find the organisation's number independently and use that.
If the letter claims you owe money
Receiving a letter claiming you owe money — especially one with legal threats — is distressing. But genuine creditors have processes for this. They do not expect same-day payment without giving you the opportunity to verify and respond.
If you believe the debt may be real, verify the letter first, then contact the organisation through an independent channel. If you need help, Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk) and National Debtline (nationaldebtline.org) offer free, confidential guidance on debt letters and can help you identify whether a communication is genuine.
If there is a deadline
Urgency is a pressure tactic, not a reason to skip verification. A legitimate organisation with a genuine deadline will accommodate a reasonable request for verification — they want to collect real debts from the right people, not panic recipients into incorrect payments.
If you're genuinely concerned about a deadline in a letter you believe may be real, contact the organisation through an independently found number and explain you're verifying the correspondence. A genuine organisation will help you do that.
Not sure about a letter or official document?
Take a photo of the letter and upload it to Summarly, or type out the key details. Summarly will explain what it appears to say, flag warning signs, and give you clear next steps — without legal jargon.
Check a letter or documentFrequently asked questions
Can scam letters arrive by post?
Yes. Physical letters can be faked just as convincingly as emails. Fraudulent letters can include realistic logos, reference numbers, official-sounding language, and accurate personal details about you. Arriving by post does not make something genuine.
How do I check if a letter is genuine?
Find contact details for the organisation independently — through their official website, a previous genuine letter you already have, or a trusted directory. Contact them directly using those details and quote the reference number. Do not use the phone number, website or email printed on the letter until you've confirmed separately that those details are correct.
Should I scan a QR code on a letter?
Not until you have verified the letter is genuine. A QR code on a letter can lead to a fraudulent website. If the letter claims to be from HMRC, a court, a council or a financial organisation, verify the letter first through an independent route — then assess the QR code destination. Official HMRC services use gov.uk or hmrc.gov.uk domains.
Should I call the number on the letter?
Only after you have verified it matches the organisation's official number independently. Look up the organisation through their official website and compare the number to the one on the letter. If they match, it is safer to call. If you cannot verify it, use the independently found number instead.
What if the letter says I owe money?
Do not pay immediately. Verify the letter is genuine first, using an independent contact route. If the debt is real, you will have the opportunity to confirm it before paying — genuine creditors do not require instant, unverifiable payment. If you need free help understanding a debt letter, Citizens Advice at citizensadvice.org.uk or National Debtline at nationaldebtline.org can help.