DWP 'last time reminder' warning as winter fuel payments soon begin

As pensioners across the country get ready to receive the Winter Fuel Payment, they're being urged to keep an eye on any suspicious texts.

Some fraudulent text messages may claim to be from an official government department and could ask for your details to actually receive the upcoming Winter Fuel Payment or other bursaries. These text messages generally include a link that will forward the victim to a website where they are urged to enter their personal and private information.

A recent example of these fraudulent messages include one claiming to be from the UK Government Living Allowance Office which claims to replace a "winter heating subsidy" for a different payment. It states that users must apply for the new subsidy through a link sent to them.

One victim of this scam reported that they received this message: "UK Government Living Allowance Office Last Time Reminder: Due to the reduction of winter heating subsidy, you can no longer receive it, and the UK government has decided to advance the living subsidy to allow you to survive the winter.

"We will reopen applications. Please apply for your living subsidy in the link as soon as possible after receiving the information.”

The Winter Fuel Payment is a payment issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to aid older people who may be unable to afford essential heating costs during the winter months. It was confirmed earlier this year that the government would make the eligiblity for this payment more narrow, leaving less pensioners able to receive the payment.

Official government guidance states that some indicitive signs of a scam text message include:

• rushes you
• is threatening
• is unexpected
• asks for personal information like bank details
• tells you to transfer money
• offers a refund, tax rebate or grant

You can report scams and fraud to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or through the Action Fraud website. If you're in Scotland, report a scam through Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or on the Advice Direct Scotland website. You can also report scams to Police Scotland on 101.

The Government says suspicious emails can be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk so they can be investigated by its National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Possible scam texts can also be forwarded for free to 7726 - this will report the message to your mobile phone provider.