Scam Alert: Bogus Winter Fuel Payment Text Messages

Scammers are sending text messages purporting to be from the DWP or HMRC regarding Winter Fuel payments.

Text messages claiming to be about Winter Fuel Payments are a scam.

If you receive such a message, do not click on any links in the message as these links could take you to malicious websites.

Pensioners will automatically receive the winter fuel payment this winter if they are eligible.

The DWP know who is eligible or not based on their records.  No action needs to be taken to apply for the payment or confirm details.

Westminster Council Trading Standards Service advises anyone receiving fraudulent text messages forward these onto the National Cyber Security Centre using 7726 – more details to be found at: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams/report-scam-text-message

If anyone has responded to a scam they should contact Action Fraud, the police national fraud reporting centre telephone: 0300 123 2040 www.actionfraud.police.uk 

If financial details have been disclosed to a scammer contact the bank by phoning 159.

Please do let your friends and family members know about such scams to avoid them becoming a victim.