Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert has issued a warning to those affected by winter fuel payment changes and says they could fall victim to a new scam.
Elderly people are being targeted by a wave of fake winter fuel payment text messages, reports The Sun.
The government has recently cut winter fuel payments in a change that will affect 10 million pensioners. But since the announcement, fraudsters have begun to target those who are vulnerable.
This cruel scam has been increasingly reported with some able to spot its signs. The messages claim to be from the UK government offering heating subsidies this winter.
In a post on Twitter, the Money Saving Expert account wrote: “If you receive a text like these, IGNORE IT.
“Criminals are targeting people with them about fake winter grants and schemes.
“You can report scam texts to your provider by forwarding them to 7726.
“Please do spread the word to help people from getting caught out.”
Commenters said they had seen these messages and noticed they were scams due to the poor spelling.
In the recent Autumn Budget, those eligible for winter fuel payments dropped from 11.4 million to an estimated 1.5 million.
The new scam texts claim to be for a benefit with no age limit, which does not exist.
Victims are told to click a link to update information through which they hand over their details.
Some have reported being taken to a lookalike government website while others said they have been asked to put in their card details.
Through reports that have been made by those suspicious of the new scam, it has been determined that messages can be connected to different countries such as Romania and Estonia.
The UK’s Regional Organised Crime Unit Network said: “Scam text messages talking about winter heating subsidies, and other support is being sent claiming to be from the Department of Work and Pensions and the Home Office to try to trick unsuspecting recipients into believing they will receive a heating subsidy.
“You should never click on the link, provide any personal details including bank details or make any sort of payment.”
