Winter Fuel Payment scam texts: how to spot the fake DWP message
Quick answer
A text telling you to claim or confirm your Winter Fuel Payment through a link is a scam. The DWP says it won't text you for bank details. Don't click. Forward the text to 7726 and check gov.uk for the real position.
- Comes by
- Text, Email, Phone call
- Pretends to be
- DWP
- Last updated
How it works
The messages pretend to come from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). They say your Winter Fuel Payment application is unfinished or at risk, often with a same-day deadline, and send you to a link.
The link goes to a copy of a government page. It asks for personal and bank details, and some versions ask for a small payment to 'check your card'. The real aim is to steal your details and your money.
The DWP's advice is that it doesn't ask for bank details by text and that you don't need to supply personal information by text or email for this payment.
Red flags
- A text that says your Winter Fuel Payment needs action today
- A link that looks like a government address but isn't a gov.uk page
- A request for bank details, a card number or a small 'test' payment
- A sender that isn't an official number
- A deadline that pushes you to act before you can check
- A text out of the blue about a payment you didn't apply for
Example message
DWP: Your Winter Fuel Payment is on hold. Confirm your details today to receive your payment: [link]
What to do
- 1
Don't click or reply
Delete the text, or keep it if you're going to report it. Don't call any number in it.
- 2
Check the real position
Go to gov.uk and search for Winter Fuel Payment yourself, rather than following a link from a message.
- 3
Forward it to 7726
Forwarding is free and helps phone providers block the sender.
- 4
If you entered bank or card details
Call your bank using the number on your card, or dial 159 to reach many UK banks, and tell them. Change any passwords you reused.
- 5
Report it
Report fraud to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040, and read what to do after a data breach if you gave out personal details.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers target older people by age and area, and they build lists from people-search sites, marketing data and breaches. Serus finds the data brokers and people-search sites that list your details where you live and removes you from them, and alerts you when your email or phone number shows up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
Frequently asked
Will the DWP text me about my Winter Fuel Payment?
The DWP says it won't text asking for bank details, and you don't need to send personal information by text or email.
Is the link in the text safe if it looks like gov.uk?
No. Scammers use near-identical web addresses. Go to gov.uk directly.
What if I entered my bank details?
Contact your bank straight away on a number you trust, or call 159, then report it.
Where do I report the text?
Forward it to 7726 and report fraud through Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Sources
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