Pensioners warned to remain alert as winter gasoline cost scams surge by over 150%

Pensioners are being warned to look out for Winter Fuel Payment textual content message scams following a surge in exercise from opportunistic criminals forward of subsequent month’s funds.

New information from HMRC exhibits reviews of rip-off texts greater than doubled within the final week of September when in comparison with the earlier week

These scams – which see fraudsters exploit pensioners by posing as authorities officers processing Winter Fuel Payment functions – had begun to drop off after a peak in June however are actually growing once more forward of funds being made subsequent month.

This warning comes because the DWP ramps up its social media marketing campaign in partnership with Action Fraud to boost consciousness of those scams throughout Facebook and Twitter. This is alongside DWP’s continued work with trusted companions and charities resembling Independent Age to make sure correct and well timed data is on the market.

Winter Fuel Payments are made robotically, and the federal government won’t ever ask for financial institution particulars by textual content. Anyone who receives a textual content message inviting them to use for a cost shouldn’t interact with it and as an alternative ahead it to 7726.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden stated:

If you get a textual content message about Winter Fuel Payments, it’s a rip-off. They shall be made robotically so you don’t want to use.

These despicable makes an attempt by criminals to focus on persons are on the rise. We are elevating consciousness to make it tougher for fraudsters to succeed.

If you obtain a suspicious message about Winter Fuel Payments, don’t interact – ahead it to 7726 and delete it instantly.

Independent Age Chief Executive Joanna Elson CBE stated:

Scammers are shamefully exploiting the Winter Fuel Payment to focus on older folks dwelling on low incomes. This entitlement is a crucial lifeline that helps shield these going through monetary hardship through the colder months.

Our helpline has obtained calls from older individuals who have been despatched these fraudulent messages. Many of them are already anxious about having the ability to afford to warmth their houses this winter, and these rip-off texts could wrongly make them consider they have to take motion to obtain their cost.

The key message is obvious: you don’t want to do something to obtain your Winter Fuel Payment. If you might be eligible, will probably be paid robotically.

Jonathan Silvester, HMRC’s Digital Defence Lead, stated:

Scammers goal people by making an attempt to take your cash or entry your private data. I’m urging you to remain alert to their stress ways.

Never let your self be rushed. If somebody contacts you regarding Winter Fuel Payments, wanting you to urgently switch cash or give private data, be in your guard. If a telephone name, textual content or e mail is suspicious or surprising, don’t give out non-public data or reply, and don’t obtain attachments or click on on hyperlinks. You can report any suspicious HMRC-related exercise on GOV.UK, simply search ‘report an HMRC scam’.

Winter Fuel Payments will robotically be paid into folks’s financial institution accounts with eligible pensioners receiving a letter in October or November saying how a lot they’ll obtain. Payments shall be made between mid-November and December 2025.

Supporting pensioners is a prime precedence for this Government which is why we’re dedicated to the Triple Lock which suggests hundreds of thousands of pensioners will see their State Pension rise by as much as £1,900.

On prime of this, pensioners on low incomes can apply for additional assist this winter by way of Pension Credit – price £4,300 on common a 12 months. Pensioners with care wants may apply for Attendance Allowance, price over £5,740 a 12 months and we’ll proceed to induce anybody who thinks they’re eligible to use.

Know the information:

• Winter Fuel Payments are made robotically: the overwhelming majority of Winter Fuel Payments shall be made robotically and you don’t want to use or present private data through textual content or e mail.
• The DWP won’t ever ask for financial institution particulars through textual content message.
• Suspicious texts needs to be forwarded to 7726 which is freed from cost, which helps telephone suppliers block the numbers concerned.

Additional data

• The warning comes following a pointy enhance in reviews of rip-off textual content messages, which have seen an increase of 153% in week commencing 29 September 2025 in comparison with 164 reported the earlier week.
• People can report HMRC-related rip-off and phishing makes an attempt to HMRC by forwarding emails to [email protected], reporting rip-off telephone calls through GOV.UK, or forwarding suspicious texts to 60599.
• If you have got obtained a Winter Fuel Payment textual content and are involved, you possibly can name the Independent Age free helpline on 0800 319 6789. An advisor will be capable to help you.
• For extra data on the best way to shield your self from scams, go to: Avoid and report web scams and phishing: Report web scams and phishing – GOV.UK
• The information refers to reviews of rip-off textual content messages claiming to be from a authorities official from HMRC.