Every year, HMRC has to visit a small number of taxpayers who have not paid their tax in order to collect the debt. Visits are undertaken by Debt Management and Banking's Field Force Collectors and can take place at the taxpayer's home or business premises. Advance warning should be provided that a visit may take place if a debt is not paid.

However, when faced with an unknown caller on the doorstep, many taxpayers may still be concerned. To provide a safeguard against bogus callers in these situations, HMRC has introduced a new Field Force Verification Helpline, so that it can be easily checked whether or not a caller claiming to be from HMRC is, in fact, genuine.

HMRC operators will then be able to confirm whether or not the caller is genuinely an HMRC Collector.

HMRC have also produced a new leaflet to help to explain the purpose of the visit and the rights and responsibilities of the taxpayer. This will now be provided by the Collector on arrival at the taxpayer's premises and will also includes the Field Force Verification Helpline number. More information is available on the HMRC website.