HMRC £70 refund payment letter for low earners 'not a scam' - BBC expert's message

HMRC £70 refund payment letter for low earners 'not a scam' - BBC expert's message People are being told the letter "is not a scam", though still staying vigilant is vital An important message has been issued by finance and scam experts about a new refund letter being sent out by HMRC to people across the UK, as specialists say "it is not a scam" - though UK households should still remain vigilant. HMRC is reaching out to nearly one million low-income workers with a letter about a new 'Low Earner's Pension Payment' averaging around £70, aimed at addressing the long-standing "net pay anomaly". People who earn less than £12,570 and use net pay workplace pension schemes miss out on tax relief that those in relief-at-source schemes get. Workers with a total annual income below £12,570 who contributed through a net pay arrangement in the 2024/25 tax year are affected. The average amount they might receive is about £70, but this can vary from person to person. It's estimated that around 75% of those impacted will be women. On today's episode of BBC Morning Live, hosts Nick Gethin and Helen Skelton discussed the letter with finance expert Laura Promet and Scam Interceptors' Nick Stapleton. Laura told viewers: "It's not a scam". However, as with anything, she stressed the importance of still being wary and vigilant. "We should always be aware, obviously", she added. But explaining more about the letter, she continued: "About a million people, mainly women, are going to receive a letter. If you're a low earner, typically, where you've missed out on some money due to pensions administration, they're going to send out this letter inviting you to apply for this payment. "And that's the key thing there, that you're going to be invited to apply from HMRC. Make sure your address is up to date. I think that's quite important as well. And it will be headed low earners pension payment. Now, there is an area on the HMRC website, gov.uk, where you can check whether the letter that you receive is exactly the right one. But it's a not scam." Gethin turned to Nick and said: "It's another reminder, Nick, isn't it, to triple check anything that comes to you if it's finance-based." Nick replied: "100% and particularly because this is something that's asking you to take some kind of action, I think it's really important. "And when we're saying it's great, you know, we're saying that this isn't a scam and that's important message to get out there. But just triple, triple check that the letter, if you've received one, is definitely the genuine letter." To address concerns about scams, HMRC states that it provides clear instructions on how to verify letters and encourages taxpayers to compare any unexpected mail with Gov.uk. The tax office also recommended that people reply only through official HMRC methods, stressing that it will never request passwords, PINs, or bank transfers to receive a payment.