Government Gateway Access Codes

Changing Phone Number

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What information does hmrc need to change my phone number on my government gateway acccount that i receive access codes to login.As it just says on the page when trying to log in call online vat services.Is there any other way of updating my phone number to access my account rather than having to sit on the phone for hours to hmrc.Thank You

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By rmillaree
24th Nov 2021 08:23

Pretty sure you wil have to ring online services - you will need to pass security so have info handy - UTR etc linked to account.

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VAT
By Jason Croke
24th Nov 2021 10:19

Try and see the government gateway as the same as your personal bank account.

You would expect and demand that access to your personal bank account is incredibly secure, if I could simply call your bank and ask to change the mobile number and access on my word alone, then your bank isn't up to scratch.

Significant fraud can be carried out quite easily once someone has access to your VAT account online, so HMRC have to have robust (and annoying) systems in place, so you will have to call HMRC and pass their security tests so that they can prove who you are.....the VAT helpline for online login problems is answered fairly quickly (usually less than 10 minutes).

You will be asked a variety of questions...your UTR, the values on your last VAT return, last payment made to HMRC and for what tax, personal details of the Director such as date of birth. Ensure you have access to bank statements and VAT returns so that you can answer these questions on the fly, if you have to call back, you may be asked different questions.

HMRC take security very seriously, it is frustrating having to jump these hoops, but as I stated at the start, the gateway is a powerful thing and open to fraud, so approach this as if it was your own bank account and that may calm the frustration a little, the security is for your businesses protection.

*general tip for everyone. So often you see a business where their book-keeper/finance person leaves (either under a cloud or voluntary) and business owners haven't a clue about how to access their VAT account or the security code goes to the person who has since left, businesses just don't take the gateway seriously enough, if someone is leaving the business, make sure access to the gateway is transferred before they leave else you end up getting blocked from your own gateway as the code goes to someone else.

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