I have just come across this forum this has happened to me too.    I was approached by Alan O Hara  Easy Tax Claims to join the EIS.  A few months later HMRC requested certificates for the scheme which I didn't have.    After months of emails , appeals I now have to pay back £3741 from which I only received  £1000.    My appeal failed because HMRC are saying I played a part as I gave Alan O Hara (or a few of his alias') access to my gateway account.