HMRC records changed after decades abroad, could this be identity theft?

[Ilovegermany]

Just got an email from HMRC saying that some information had changed on my tax records.

Thought it might be a phishing email so did not click on any links and went to the gov.uk site myself.

I logged in using Authenticator and there was activity in my employment for last year and this year. Plus my address had been changed in the system to Weston Super Mare.

It also says I am due a refund of tax.

I haven’t worked or lived in the UK for almost 30 years.

Could this mean that someone has stolen my identity in the UK?

I have to wait until Monday morning to speak to a human being which I imagine will take up some time.

Now concerned about other things that my name is being used for in the UK.

This sounds like identity fraud to me.
Can you call 101 non-emergency police abroad? If so, I’d call them to report whilst waiting to talk to HMRC

Contacted the local police to where the address was and they said it was not a police matter and to contact HMRC.

It does sound very sus, @Ilovegermany . Mondays are always very busy with HMRC so stand by for a wait. As I have found.

You can report online while you're waiting:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-suspicious-activity-happening-in-an-hmrc-online-account

I spoke to them after the annoying voice assistant and they said someone probably just keyed in the wrong NI number.

This sounds suspect as it should flag if the name and NI number don’t match and that is what they claim on their website.
I am taking early retirement in 5 years and I need to have the correct info available in the UK so it matches up when the pensions here ask for my details.