Pensioners warned over fake Winter Fuel Payment texts

Pensioners are being warned about fake Winter Fuel Payment texts as the payments start to arrive.

Most eligible people do not need to apply and will be paid automatically in November or December, according to GOV.UK.

Scam texts seen by the comparison site MoneySuperMarket pose as the Department for Work and Pensions, HMRC or other government departments.

Some tell people they have not yet applied for the payment, while others say they must send their bank details or miss out.

The messages set a deadline and ask people to reply or click a link, in an attempt to steal personal and financial information.

HMRC says it will never contact people by text or email to ask them to repay their Winter Fuel Payment, or to ask for bank details.

It recorded more than 25,000 Winter Fuel Payment scam referrals in the 12 months to April.

The payment is worth between £100 and £300 this winter for people born on or before 27 June 1960, depending on their circumstances.

Most people will get a letter first, and the money is usually paid into the same account as their State Pension.

Anyone with a taxable income over £35,000 will have the payment taken back by HMRC, usually through their tax code.

The warnings come as energy bills are forecast to rise again in January, with EDF predicting the price cap for a typical household will reach £2,192 a year.

Ofgem will announce the January cap on 25 November.

Laura Hinton, of MoneySuperMarket, said: “If you’re unsure, go directly to GOV.UK rather than following a link in a text or email.”

Suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC can be forwarded to 60599, and other scam texts can be forwarded to 7726.

Suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC can be sent to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.

Anyone who has lost money should contact their bank straight away and report it to Report Fraud.