Overview

• Regional outlets on September 26 amplified HMRC’s reminder, quoting its post: “Oversharing isn’t caring – only share your National Insurance number when you really need to.”
• HMRC promotes its app as a quick way to view NI information, with first-time Government Gateway sign-in followed by PIN or biometric access.
• You can find your NI number on a P60, payslip or benefits letters, in your personal tax account, in the HMRC app, or in Apple/Google Wallet if previously saved.
• Officials say only authorised bodies should request the number, including HMRC, employers, the DWP, local councils, Electoral Registration Officers, the Student Loans Company, pension providers and ISA providers.
• Reports note that sharing the number with scammers could enable identity fraud and even emptied bank accounts, presented as a theoretical risk.