Thousands of Coventry residents warned over text-based scam promising Winter Fuel Payment

Jaspreet Kaur

18 November 2024 at 9:29 am·1-min read

Pensioners are being targeted in Coventry — -Credit: (Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Residents are being warned of a new text-based scam circulating in Coventry. Pensioners across the city are reportedly being targeted.

Fraudsters are targeting elderly people in a scam that says they are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment. OAPs will receive a text message directing them to a fake website that tricks them into handing over their personal details, according to Coventry City Council.

Winter Fuel Payments, which offer help worth up to £300 to cover energy costs over the high usage months, have been a huge talking point in recent weeks after Keir Starmer announced they would be means-tested rather than being available to all over 65s.

One of the hoax messages shared by Coventry City Council reads: “Please fill in your information in time so that we want you to issue the Winter Allowance. It will be issued for the last time in 2024.”

Another scam message, shared by charity Age UK, said: “Winter is coming, and we will continue to issue heating subsidies to help you survive this cold winter smoothly. Since you are eligible to apply, please update your information in the link after reading the information.”

Residents have been advised to be cautious of any text they receive with similar wording. Experts at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said people might be able to spot scam messages by identifying bad grammar or spelling.

In a statement issued today (November 18), Coventry City Council said: “We have been made aware that this text message about a Winter Fuel Payment is circulating. Remember, forward suspicious text messages to the National Cyber Security Centre on 7726.”

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