What's going on
You get a phone call. Nobody greets you. Instead, a robotic voice kicks in and tells you that your National Insurance number has been used in criminal activity, that it's been compromised, or that legal proceedings are about to begin against you. The voice tells you to press 1 to speak to someone who can sort it out.
This scam has been doing the rounds for several years now, and it keeps coming back because it works. Action Fraud reported receiving more than 1,000 reports about this exact scam in a single period, making it one of the most reported phone scams in the country (Action Fraud). HMRC separately logged over 170,000 scam referrals in the 12 months to July 2025 (GOV.UK), and the NI number con makes up a large chunk of those. The calls are cheap to make, easy to automate, and they only need a tiny fraction of people to fall for it.
What the call sounds like
The wording changes, but the formula is always the same: an automated voice, a threat, and an instruction to press a button. These are based on real scripts reported by victims.
"This is an urgent message from the National Crime Agency. Your National Insurance number has been compromised and is linked to suspicious activity. Press 1 to be connected to an officer immediately or face legal consequences."
"We are calling from HMRC. Your National Insurance number has been used to make fraudulent benefit claims. If you do not respond, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. Press 1 now."
"This is an automated message from the National Office for Serious Crimes. Your National Insurance number has been suspended due to suspicious activity. To reactivate it, press 1 to speak with an agent."
"Your National Insurance number has been linked to criminal activity including money laundering. Failure to act will result in immediate legal action. Press 1 to resolve this matter."
Spot the pattern
Every version uses the same trick: fear followed by a call to action. They want you scared so you press 1 without thinking. Real government agencies do not ring you with automated messages threatening arrest. That is not how the legal system works.
How the scam plays out
The automated message is just the opening act. The real damage happens when you press 1 and a person comes on the line.
1. The automated message
Your phone rings. An automated voice claims to be from HMRC, the National Crime Agency, or a made up organisation called the "National Office for Serious Crimes." It says your NI number has been compromised, suspended, or linked to crime. You're told to press 1.
Why automated?
Because it's dirt cheap. One computer can fire off thousands of these calls an hour. The criminals don't waste a real person's time until someone actually presses 1. It's a numbers game.
2. You get put through to a person
Once you press 1, you're connected to a real person. They'll sound calm and professional. They'll claim to be a government official, a police officer, or an HMRC agent. They'll confirm the "problem" with your NI number and tell you they need to verify your identity to fix it.
What they ask for
They start with things that feel harmless: your full name, date of birth, address. Then they move to your actual NI number, your mother's maiden name, and finally your bank details. As Action Fraud's Pauline Smith warned, "even confirming personal details such as your email address, date of birth, or mother's maiden name can be used by criminals to commit fraud."
3. The pressure ramps up
If you hesitate, they'll turn up the heat. Common tactics include telling you that a warrant for your arrest is being processed, that you owe thousands in fraudulent benefit claims made in your name, or that your bank accounts will be frozen. Some ask for a "security payment" to release your NI number, payable by bank transfer, gift cards, or even cryptocurrency.
The gift card request is always a dead giveaway
No government body, anywhere, will ever ask you to pay a debt or a fine using iTunes vouchers, Amazon gift cards, or Google Play cards. The moment someone asks for this, you know with absolute certainty that it's a scam.
4. Your identity gets stolen
With your name, date of birth, address, and NI number, criminals have everything they need. They can open bank accounts in your name, apply for credit, file false benefit claims, or sell the whole lot to other fraudsters on the dark web. Cifas, the UK's fraud prevention body, recorded more than 237,000 cases of identity fraud in 2024. A stolen NI number is the starting point for a large portion of them.
The damage can take months to undo
Victims of NI number fraud report spending weeks or months contacting banks, credit agencies, and government departments to untangle the mess. Some discover loans or phone contracts taken out in their name. Others find their tax records have been altered.
Why this scam catches people out
You might think you'd never fall for something like this. But the numbers say otherwise. This scam works because it triggers a fear response that most people aren't prepared for.
Most of us have no idea what would actually happen if our NI number was used fraudulently. We don't know what HMRC would do, how they'd contact us, or what our rights are. So when a voice tells us there's a warrant out for our arrest, it's genuinely frightening. And scared people don't think clearly. That's the whole point.
What the scammers exploit
- • Fear of arrest or legal trouble
- • Confusion about how NI numbers actually work
- • The automated voice sounds official and impersonal
- • Urgency ("act now or face consequences")
- • Caller ID spoofing makes the number look real
- • People don't want to ignore a genuine problem
What kills the scam instantly
- ✓ Knowing your NI number cannot be suspended
- ✓ Knowing HMRC will never threaten arrest by phone
- ✓ Hanging up without pressing any buttons
- ✓ Telling someone else what just happened
- ✓ Checking GOV.UK or calling HMRC on 0300 200 3300
- ✓ Remembering that no government body asks for gift cards
What HMRC and the government will never do
These are facts, not guidelines
HMRC, the police, and every other government body in the UK have confirmed these points. If someone does any of the following, they are not who they claim to be.
Ring you with an automated message about your NI number
Threaten you with arrest over the phone
Ask you to press a button to speak to someone
Demand payment by gift card, bank transfer, or cryptocurrency
Ask for your bank details over the phone
Tell you to keep the call secret from anyone
Got one of these calls? Do this
Hang up immediately
Do not press 1. Do not press any button. Do not stay on the line. Just hang up. The automated system logs which numbers engage, so pressing a button confirms your number is active and you'll get more calls.
Block the number
On iPhone, go to your recent calls, tap the (i) next to the number, and select "Block this Caller." On Android, long press the number in your call log and tap "Block." It won't stop them using a different number, but it stops that one.
Report it
Forward scam calls to Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040 or report online at reporting.actionfraud.police.uk. You can also report the number on CallerCheck to warn other people.
Tell someone
Mention it to family, friends, or colleagues. These calls target people of all ages and backgrounds. The more people who know about it, the fewer people fall for it. If you have older relatives, it's worth bringing it up directly.
Already pressed 1 or given out your details?
Don't panic, but do act fast. The sooner you respond, the more you can limit the damage.
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1
Contact your bank
If you shared any bank details, account numbers, or card information, ring your bank using the number on the back of your card. Tell them what happened and ask them to flag your account. You can also dial 159, the UK's Stop Scams number, which puts you through to your bank's fraud team.
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2
Check your credit report
If you gave your NI number, name, and date of birth, criminals may try to open accounts in your name. Check your credit report with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. All three offer free checks. Look for accounts, loans, or credit applications you don't recognise.
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3
Register with Cifas
Cifas is the UK's fraud prevention service. You can apply for Protective Registration, which adds a flag to your credit file. Any company that checks your identity will see the flag and carry out extra checks before opening an account. It costs £25 for two years and is worth doing if your NI number has been handed over.
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4
Report to Action Fraud
Call 0300 123 2040 or report online at reporting.actionfraud.police.uk. You'll get a crime reference number. Keep it. You may need it if you find fraudulent accounts later.
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5
Contact HMRC
Ring HMRC on 0300 200 3300 and explain what happened. They can note it on your record and keep watch for any unusual activity linked to your NI number. You can also email [email protected] to report the scam message itself.
Where to report NI number scam calls
Action Fraud
The UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime
HMRC Phishing Team
Forward suspicious messages claiming to be from HMRC
Or forward texts to 60599HMRC Helpline
Call HMRC directly to check if a contact is genuine
Cifas
Apply for Protective Registration if your NI number has been compromised
cifas.org.ukFrequently Asked Questions
Can my NI number actually be suspended?
What is the "National Office for Serious Crimes"?
I only confirmed my name and date of birth. Is that enough for fraud?
Why do these calls come from different numbers every time?
Will HMRC ever ring me about my National Insurance number?
The Bottom Line
- Your NI number is for life and cannot be suspended
- HMRC will never ring you with an automated threat
- Do not press any buttons on the call
- No government body will ask for gift card payments
- Hang up, block the number, and report it
- If you gave details, call your bank and check your credit
- Register with Cifas for protective registration
- Warn family and friends, especially older relatives