Common Scams

Scammers often use current news about government support to create a sense of urgency.

• Winter Fuel Payment/Allowance: Claims you must "apply" or update details by a specific deadline to receive a £200 or £300 payment.
• Energy Support Scheme/Grant: Offers an "energy allowance" or subsidy for rising costs.
• Living Allowance/Expenses: Mentions a fake "UK Government Living Allowance Office".
• Bank Verification: Asks for a small fee (e.g., £1) or card details to "verify" your account for a refund.

Spotting a Fake

• Request for Personal Info: The DWP will never ask for bank details, PINs, or full personal information via text or email.
• Urgency & Deadlines: Scams often use high-pressure language (e.g., "apply within 24 hours or lose payment") to stop you from thinking clearly.
• Suspicious Links: Links often look almost correct (e.g., containing "gov" or "uk") but lead to non-official sites like rebrand.ly or lnk.ink.
• Automatic Payments: In most cases, genuine Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically to those who qualify; no application is needed.

Received One

1. Do Not Click: Avoid clicking any links or downloading attachments.
2. Report It: Forward the suspicious text to 7726 (a free UK reporting service). You can also report it to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) or Action Fraud.
3. Delete & Block: After reporting, delete the message and block the sender.
4. Verify Directly: If you are unsure about your benefits, contact the DWP directly via the official GOV.UK website.