Police are warning the public about a new scam targeting vulnerable individuals looking for extra financial support as winter approaches. Action Fraud and the City of London Police are urging people to be cautious of text messages offering assistance with winter fuel payments. With the recent decision to reduce the winter allowance for most recipients, only pensioners on specific benefits will qualify for help with winter fuel. The government has been reaching out to eligible pensioners about pension credit, a benefit for those with a weekly income below £218, to encourage sign-ups. Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of this communication to deceive elderly individuals into sharing their bank details.
One fraudulent message seen by The Independent claimed to offer a living expenses allowance in place of the heating subsidy suspended by parliament this winter. The message instructed recipients to apply before a specific deadline and included a link for submitting personal information. Another scam message shared by Age UK promised continued winter heating subsidies and urged recipients to update their information through a provided link. It’s important to note that the government or local authorities would not request individuals to click on links to make claims. Eligible individuals will receive winter fuel payments automatically.
Age UK highlighted that the links sent by scammers redirected individuals to a fake UK government website designed to collect personal details. They advised against clicking on unfamiliar links to protect personal information. The National Cyber Security Centre suggested that scam messages can often be identified by poor grammar or spelling.
It is crucial for individuals, especially the elderly, to remain vigilant against such scams and refrain from sharing sensitive information online. Authorities recommend verifying the legitimacy of messages and websites before providing any personal details. By staying informed and cautious, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
