Warning as scammers pretending to be DWP focusing on Brits with pretend profit cash

Scammers are targeting Brits by pretending to be from DWP and promising extra benefits if they are provided with personal details. Here is what to look out for so it doesn’t happen to you

Scammers pretending to be from DWP are targeting millions of Brits, promising them “winter allowance” cash if they provide their details.

The texts falsely promise money to people on benefits such as Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Pension Credit and State Pension and ask for personal and financial information to be supplied in order for the cash to be paid.

Real government benefit schemes such as the Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment, are paid automatically into the same accounts as your benefits, without the need to provide banking information first.

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The Warm Home Discount is given as a credit on your electricity bill and no bank details are required because it goes into the account you have with your energy company.

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DWP has issued a warning about messages claiming to be from them but with a suspicious link attached.

It said in a new post on X: “Be aware of scam text messages claiming to be from the DWP. Always be careful about links and never share personal or financial details. Only engage with trusted official sources. You can report suspicious messages to Action Fraud UK or search GOV.UK.”

To report the scammers:

If you have an iPhone or iPad:

1. Take a note of the number that sent you the message.
2. Press and hold on the message bubble.
3. Tap More .
4. Select the message or messages you want to forward.
5. Tap the arrow on the bottom right of your screen.
6. Input 7726 and send.

If you have an Android phone:

1. Take a note of the number that sent you the message.
2. Enter the conversation then press and hold on the message bubble.
3. Tap on the three vertical dots on the top right of your screen.
4. Tap Forward .
5. Input 7726 and send.

If trying to send the text to 7726 doesn’t work, you can either contact your phone provider or take a screenshot of the text message and send it to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, even if you are not certain it is a scam, you should also forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk

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