HMRC issues warning to anyone aged 16 or over

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning to anyone aged 16 or over. Urging people to stop "oversharing" online, the official UK government department said that this could put you at risk.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they warn: "Oversharing isn’t caring – only share your National Insurance number when you really need to. Keep it safe in the HMRC app." UK residents typically receive their National Insurance number automatically, just before turning 16.

If you aren't aware of yours, it may be that you already have it without realising it. For example, you may have come across a letter with a number that looks like "QQ123456B", HMRC note.

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Your National Insurance number ensures that your contributions and taxes are properly recorded under your name. It is unique to you and will never change. The number is made up of 2 letters, 6 digits, and a final letter.

What happens if I share my National Insurance number?

HMRC warns that in order "to prevent identity fraud, do not share your National Insurance number with anyone who does not need it."

Who needs my National Insurance number?

These organisations may need to know what your number is:

• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• your employer
• the Department for Work and Pensions (which includes Jobcentre Plus and the Pension, Disability and Carers Service), if you claim state benefits, or in Northern Ireland the Department for Social Development
• your local council, if you claim Housing Benefit, or the Northern Ireland Housing Executive
• Electoral Registration Officers (to check your identity when you register to vote)
• the Student Loans Company, if you apply for a student loan
• your pension provider if you have a personal or stakeholder pension
• your Individual Savings Account (ISA) provider, if you open an ISA
• authorised financial service providers who help you buy and sell investments like shares, bonds and derivatives - you can check if your provider is authorised
• Veterans UK

How to download the HMRC app

Typically, you'll receive a letter confirming your National Insurance number just before your 16th birthday. To stay on top of this and other details, you can download the HMRC app here. But what exactly does the app offer, and is it worth installing?

The HMRC app is a simple and fast way to get information about your tax, National Insurance and benefits.

You can use it to check your:

• tax code
• National Insurance number
• income and benefits
• employment and income history from the previous 5 years
• Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) for Self Assessment
• Self Assessment tax and how much you owe
• Child Benefit
• State Pension forecast
• gaps in National Insurance contributions

You can also use it to:

• get an estimate of the tax you need to pay
• make a Self Assessment payment
• make a Simple Assessment payment
• set a reminder to make a Self Assessment payment
• access your Help to Save account
• use our tax calculator to work out your take home pay after Income Tax and National Insurance deductions
• track forms and letters you have sent to us
• claim a refund if you have paid too much tax
• ask HMRC’s digital assistant for help and information
• update your name
• update your address
• save your National Insurance number to your digital wallet
• check for gaps in your National Insurance contributions and the benefits of paying them
• check if you can make a payment for gaps in your National Insurance contributions
• choose to be contacted by HMRC electronically, instead of by letter

How do I use the HMRC app?

Once you've downloaded the app, simply enter your Government Gateway user ID and password to log in for the first time. If you don’t have a user ID, you can easily create one through the app.

After that, you'll be able to access the app in the future using:

• a 6-digit PIN
• your fingerprint
• facial recognition

HMRC warn: "If you do not have a UK address and you do not know your National Insurance number, follow the guidance to find a lost National Insurance number."