People who possess a National Insurance number have been issued a critical warning by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). In a recent communication, HMRC emphasized the importance of safeguarding this number.
The National Insurance number is a vital piece of information that can be misused for identity theft and fraudulent activities, such as making illegal benefit claims or obtaining loans. HMRC, on a social media platform X, cautioned against sharing this number unnecessarily, stating, “Oversharing isn’t caring – only share your National Insurance number when absolutely necessary. Keep it secure in the HMRC app. Download today.” Individuals typically receive their National Insurance number around the age of 16, and it remains with them for their lifetime.
This unique identifier ensures that your National Insurance contributions and tax records are correctly attributed to you. The number comprises two letters, six digits, and a final letter, for example, QQ123456B.
Your National Insurance number can be found on documents related to taxes, such as payslips or P60 forms. It is also possible to obtain a letter containing your number and access your National Insurance details digitally.
For those who do not possess a National Insurance number, it is advised to apply for one. The official Government website recommends using the HMRC smartphone app to verify your National Insurance number.
According to GOV.UK, “The HMRC app provides a fast and simple way to access information about your tax, National Insurance, and benefits.”
The app allows you to check various details and can be downloaded from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Upon installation, you will need to enter your Government Gateway user ID and password to log in initially.
If you do not have a user ID, you can create one through the app, enabling swift access thereafter by logging in with either method:
For individuals without a UK address who are unsure of their National Insurance number, guidance on retrieving a lost number can be found here.
To prevent identity fraud, GOV.UK advises against sharing your National Insurance number with unnecessary parties. Only organizations that require your number for specific purposes should be provided with this information.