MoneySuperMarket Energy specialists are cautioning the public about a recent surge in fraudulent text and email schemes linked to the Winter Fuel Payment. This benefit was reintroduced earlier this year for numerous retirees, reverting from a means-tested program that had significantly reduced the number of recipients from 11 million to 1.3 million.
Reports indicate scammers are capitalizing on the confusion surrounding this benefit, sending messages purporting to be from various non-existent entities like the Department for Work and Pensions or a fictitious ‘Department of Energy.’ The phishing scam prompts recipients to register for the payment by a specified deadline through text or email links leading to fake websites aimed at stealing personal and financial data.
While most individuals automatically receive the Winter Fuel Payment without needing to apply or disclose personal details, statistics from Citizens Advice show that approximately 9 million people were victims of financial scams in 2024.
Laura Hinton, a representative from MoneySuperMarket Energy, emphasized the importance of staying vigilant against energy bill-related scams this winter. She noted the increasing sophistication of fraudsters’ tactics and advised the public to verify the legitimacy of any emails or texts before clicking on embedded links. Vigilance is crucial to safeguard oneself and loved ones from falling victim to scams.
MoneySuperMarket offers the following tips to protect against fraud:
– Refrain from clicking on unexpected links in messages, especially those related to government payments.
– Never disclose personal or financial information in response to unsolicited communications.
– Legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information out of the blue.
– Keep your devices updated with the latest security patches.
– Avoid downloading software or granting remote access to unknown parties.
– Regularly monitor bank statements for unusual transactions and report any suspicious activity promptly.
