Trading Standards issue warning about winter fuel scam texts
The Council’s Trading Standards officers are again advising residents of a winter fuel scam, where fraudsters target vulnerable pensioners with details of a bogus and unnecessary application process.
Pensioners receive a text message which directs them to a fake website that tricks them into handing over their personal details including bank account details.
One of the hoax messages seen by Council officers reads in full:
DWP Service Centre: You have not yet completed your application for an energy subsidy for 2024-2025. The subsidy is £300. It is important that you submit your application by 10 June. Late applications will not be processed. (LINK) (Please reply “yes” and then exit the text message and re-open to activate the link, or copy the link and open it in your browser). Have a great day, DWP.
Residents are advised to be cautious of any text they receive with similar wording – and urged not to click on any link they do not recognise or trust.
The Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhood Pride, Councillor Stuart Bingham said:
This latest scam appears timed to coincide with the Chancellor’s announcement this week of the changes to the winter fuel payment, extending the eligibility criteria. Watch out for fake text messages claiming to be from the Government, inviting you to apply for a new winter fuel payment. This scam is a repeat of a similar scam in the autumn of 2024. There is no requirement to apply for the payment. Do not give anyone your personal data after receiving a text message. Please also check on vulnerable neighbours and relatives to ensure they are aware of this scam.
Further details, including confirmation that payments will be made automatically, can be found online:
If you think you’ve been scammed, take the following steps:
- If you've already responded to a scam, end all further communication immediately.
- Call your bank directly and cancel any recurring payments – or, for speed and ease, you can call the secure 159 hotline that connects you directly to your bank if you think you might be being scammed.
- Report the scam to the police through Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report a scam anonymously on the Action Fraud
- If you want more help, contact Citizens Advice Scams Action via the Citizens Advice website, or call its Scams Action helpline on 0808 250 5050.