"Pensioners are being warned to watch out for winter fuel payment scams after a sharp rise in fraudulent messages circulating ahead of next month's payouts. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging people not to engage with these scam communications. This warning comes after HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) data revealed a 153 per cent surge in scam referrals in the final week of September, compared to the previous week."
"Fraudsters are sending messages purporting to be from government officials processing winter fuel payment applications. Though scam communications dipped after a June peak, they are now rising again as payments near. But the Government said that winter fuel payments are made automatically, and it will never ask for bank details by text. Anyone who receives a text message inviting them to apply for a payment should not engage with it and instead forward it to 7726, the Government said."
Pensioners are being warned to watch out for winter fuel payment scams after a sharp rise in fraudulent messages circulating ahead of next month's payouts. The Department for Work and Pensions is urging people not to engage with these scam communications. HM Revenue and Customs data revealed a 153 per cent surge in scam referrals in the final week of September compared to the previous week. Fraudsters are sending messages purporting to be from government officials processing winter fuel payment applications. Scam communications dipped after a June peak but are rising again as payments near. The Government says winter fuel payments are automatic and will never ask for bank details by text. Anyone receiving suspicious texts should forward them to 7726. The DWP is ramping up a social media campaign with Action Fraud and charities to raise awareness.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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