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Your National Insurance Number

By: Jack Claridge - Updated: 6 Jun 2020 | comments*Discuss
 
National Insurance Number National

During our lives we are required to carry passports, driving licences, National Health Cards and other documentation that is designed to prove our identity to those in positions of authority. But nothing quite characterises this trend more than your National Insurance Card.

What is the National Insurance Number?

The National Insurance number that each of us receives after our sixteenth birthday is designed to be used as a means of making National Insurance contributions to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Each of us when we start working are obliged to pay National Insurance and Tax in order to fund our state pensions when we reach retirement age and the use of a National Insurance number on all documentation and employer payrolls is the most efficient way of doing this.

When Do I Receive My National Insurance Number?

After you have turned sixteen the process of sending you your National Insurance number is automatic. The new style plastic cards are sent to you via the postal system and you should keep this card safe at all times. If possible memorise your National Insurance number for use on application forms, bank applications and so on.

Be aware that the National Insurance number is not a means of identification but if it falls into the wrong hands it can be used as a means of counting towards proof of identification. It can also be used if someone living in the country illegally wishes to work.

Most recruitment agencies will ask you to provide them with proof of your National Insurance number before they allow you to commence working for them.

What Happens if I Lose My National Insurance Card?

You may apply to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for a replacement card but you can only do this once. If you have lost your card and feel that your National Insurance number may be being used for purposes other than it was designed then you should contact them immediately and report your suspicions.

Should I Report Changes in My Circumstances.

Yes if you marry or divorce or change your current home address you must inform Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of these changes. Failure to do so can result in problems paying your National Insurance and likewise claiming state pension as and when you are entitled to. You should keep them up to date with any change in circumstance or address so that they can keep their records up to date also – this also helps reduce the risk of identity theft.

Protecting Your National Insurance Number

As we have already mentioned if at all possible it is worth memorising your National Insurance number for use on important documentation. If you can do this then you should keep your National Insurance number in a safe place – preferably in a safe or fire proof filing cabinet. Do not carry the National Insurance card with you if there is no requirement to do so and never pass it to any organisation for proof of identification because – as we have already mentioned – the National Insurance card is not designed to be proof of identification on its own.

For more information you should contact Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) – your local office will be listed in Yellow Pages – or visit their website at www.hmrc.gov.uk.

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Some one useing my national Insurance number to claim their taxes. What should i do now ..?
Bhanu - 6-Jun-20 @ 1:39 AM
I have written a short story which I was going to publish on KDP - part of Amazon in America. As it may sell, they wanted my TIN number which I understand is my National insurance number in the UK.I am very scared about divulging this to an American company. Could you advise please? Thanks Brenda
Hammie - 1-Jun-20 @ 4:19 PM
An agency asked me for a copy of my national insurance number just to get me register with them. I refusedto divulge it and they said it is company policy to ask for it so I said I was removing from them. Is this right?
Cal - 20-Sep-19 @ 11:06 AM
Hi, My purse has been stolen containing my NI card. What should I do? Rosie
Rosie Seamark - 3-Sep-19 @ 5:31 PM
Hi My purse has been stolen and my NI card was in it...what do I do Rosemary
Rosie Seamark - 3-Sep-19 @ 5:30 PM
Hi, I just found out that my first employer ha using my NI without my permission even after I left job from there.i left job from there in 2015 but on 29 August I received letter saying I owe *** this amount so I have to oy tax but when I look at the statement my old employer paid me salary which is for 5 months.but I stoped working for him in 2015 should I report him to police that he has used my NI without my consent and I wasn’t working there????
Atif - 31-Aug-19 @ 2:13 AM
My wallet was stolen during summer 2019. My bank cards and my National Insurance card were in my wallet. I cancelled my cards, reported it to the police and told HMRC. Should I have told Action Fraud? Im worried about my National Insurance number falling into the wrong hands.
Alf - 28-Aug-19 @ 12:08 AM
My postbox was broken into & a wage slip stolen. I’ve received various enquiries from banks about accounts that have been opened in my name. I’ve just accessed my credit report & discovered 22 recent applications for insurance in my name that I did not make. I am terrified.
Annie - 23-Jun-19 @ 5:43 PM
Hi I had a friend at mine the other we are now In a argument n she’s now saying she’s got my NI number and she’s going to use it. What can she use it on a part from working somewhere pls??
Zarabb - 24-May-19 @ 4:22 PM
My house is been burgled last month and I noticed that my national insurance number card was in one of my stolen hand bag. Now I am worried about my national insurance number if someone misuse that don't know what to do.
Fari - 3-May-19 @ 4:23 PM
Hi. Last year I noticed a change in my HMRC account, and I have seen that someone used my personal details, to make 2 employments. I called twice at HMRC, to explain that I can't work in 2 places, I living in northern Ireland, and those 2 jobs being in England. Nobody contacted me, since I called,and also there is nothing modified in my account. I don't want to pay taxes for jobs I never had. What can I do? Thanks
rolf24 - 5-Apr-19 @ 10:42 PM
My purse was stolen with all my cards including my N.I. card. Where can i report this being stolen?
Holly - 1-Feb-19 @ 9:43 AM
Someone has stolen my national insurance number Please can you help
Tina - 29-Jan-19 @ 9:22 AM
Hi some one has stolen my nation insurance number .please can you help me
Tina - 29-Jan-19 @ 9:21 AM
I had a hoax caller and I told them my national insurance number and other personal detail, I have sent an email to fraudalert but is there anything else I can do. Many thank in advance
Liljo - 11-Oct-18 @ 11:09 PM
Grace - Your Question:
My purse has been stolen. In it amongst all the rest is a piece of paper with my N.I. number. Can this be used for anything? I am retired btw.

Our Response:
I am sorry to hear this. National Insurance (NI) numbers can be used to claim benefits and tax credits, and/or can be accepted by employers to prove the right to work legally in the UK. It is always best to report it stolen as a preventative measure.
AboutIdentityTheft - 7-Aug-18 @ 12:37 PM
My purse has been stolen. In it amongst all the rest is a piece of paper with my N.I. number.Can this be used for anything?I am retired btw.
Grace - 4-Aug-18 @ 9:34 AM
Wendy- Your Question:
What step do I can I take? Someone is using my National insurance number and name to work elsewhere

Our Response:
The Action Fraud link here should tell you all you need to know.
AboutIdentityTheft - 28-Jun-18 @ 12:29 PM
What step do I can I take? Someone is using my National insurance number and name to work elsewhere
Wendy - 28-Jun-18 @ 2:39 AM
ricky - Your Question:
I need to know my insurance number

Our Response:
Please see the link here , which will tell you all you need to know.
AboutIdentityTheft - 25-Jun-18 @ 12:20 PM
@Nugget - yep, you cannot breathe these days without everyone knowing. :(
Carlee - 20-Apr-18 @ 12:21 PM
I am trying to renew my car insurance and for the first time ever, I am being asked provide my driving licence number and my National insurance number.I am very security conscious and am reluctant to give these details. Having googled this, it seems that this is required for them to check up to date details on your driving licence from the gov.uk website.However, as far as I understand it, the way this should work is that the person looking for insurance should input these details on line and the system then provides a time limited access code which the person gives to the insurance company for them to check for themselves.This then obviates the need to disclose all these details. It seems that insurance companies are not being transparent in asking for these details.The other thing is, who decided that the NI number should be used in trying to verify DVLA information?Does this mean that the DVLA and various government departments share all your data?Big brother truly abounds!!
Nugget - 8-Apr-18 @ 7:20 PM
I have found out today that my old employer is paying someone in my name using my national insurance number what should I do
Babe - 9-Mar-18 @ 9:13 PM
Hello, Someone stole my wallet and I hade inside all my documents, included my National insurance number. I have a copy of it, but there is something worse I have to do, maybe if they sell it to some one? Thank you
Dorin - 9-Mar-18 @ 11:00 AM
Floren - Your Question:
I'm self employed and work with a taxi company. The company asked some of the drivers for their N.I without specific reason. Could it be something illegal?

Our Response:
If you wish to know why your employer asked for the NI numbers, you would have to approach your employer directly to ask.
AboutIdentityTheft - 20-Feb-18 @ 3:29 PM
I'm self employed and work with a taxi company. The company asked some of the drivers for their N.I without specific reason. Could it be something illegal?
Floren - 16-Feb-18 @ 8:39 PM
Cosmi950000 - Your Question:
My insurance number was stolen what should I do?

Our Response:
Please see the Action Fraud link here, which should tell you all you need to know.
AboutIdentityTheft - 12-Feb-18 @ 10:03 AM
My insurance number was stolen what should I do?
Cosmi950000 - 11-Feb-18 @ 2:45 AM
Sahil - Your Question:
Hi Someone is using my NI number for last 2 years I send a letter to hmrc told them it’s fruad I didn’t work in this company but still they are using my NI what should I do

Our Response:
You can see more via the Action Fraud link here , which should help answer your question.
AboutIdentityTheft - 9-Feb-18 @ 12:01 PM
Hi Someone is using my NI number for last 2 years I send a letter to hmrc told them it’s fruad I didn’t work in this companybut still they are using my NI what should I do
Sahil - 8-Feb-18 @ 6:36 PM
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