Yahoo News DWP issues scam warning as fraudsters target benefit claimants with text messages
Benefit claimants are urged to "always be careful" and watch out for fake DWP text messages as fraudsters try to steal personal and financial data.
The Department for Work and Pensions has sent out a warning on its social media channels asking millions of people on benefits such as Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, State Pension, Attendance Allowance or Jobseeker’s Allowance to be on the lookout for text message scams.
The alert comes as criminals try to harvest personal details from victims. The scam messages appear as though they are from the DWP.
READ MORE: 'I have stage 4 lung cancer - there were 5 signs, but I ignored one for years'
READ MORE: DWP to review of PIP assessment process after claims of 'humiliation' of disabled claimants
In post shared on X and Facebook, the Government department said: "Be aware of scam text messages claiming to be from @dwpgovuk. Always be careful about links and never share personal or financial details, only engage with trusted official sources."
The DWP then urged anyone who receives a suspicious text message to report it on GOV.UK - just search ‘avoid and report internet scams and phishing’. Online criminals may be trying to capitalise on the ongoing cost of living crisis and the run-up to the festive period by pretending to be official government bodies. These are known as 'impersonation scams', reports the Daily Record.
In the past, there have been scam text messages about 'unclaimed cost of living payments' and the Warm Home Discount. These texts often include 'direct links' to make a claim - something DWP never does. Universal Credit claimants will usually be contacted by their Work Coach through their online journal. If you receive a text and you're not sure if it is genuinely from a DWP department, the safest way to check is to call them and ask.
