Winter fuel payment text message scam warning

People across Northern Ireland have been targeted in a 'winter fuel payment' scam aimed at stealing their bank details. Phishing text messages and emails titled "winter heating subsidy reminder" are being sent with a link, which people are being warned not to click.

Age UK says it has "been made aware of the start of criminal activity using both text messages and emails to try and steal bank details by playing on older people's concerns about the Winter Fuel Payment".

But they have warned the link in the messages "does not go to the UK government website or anything to do with winter fuel payments".

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They added: "Initially it was a clone of the UK Government website designed specifically to encourage you to hand over your personal details - this is referred to as "phishing" as the criminals are using the process to "fish" for your personal information by "dropping you a line" by text or email.

"Fortunately the owner of the website space had software to detect such misuse of their webspace and it was taken down fairly quickly. However we expect this will keep happening with the fake website moving around the internet and being hosted on different machines across the world to evade action being taken against it."

People who are eligible for winter fuel payments in Northern Ireland have the payment added directly to their bank account by the Department for Communities.

A Department for Communities spokesperson said: "The Department for Communities is aware that some people have received text messages encouraging them to claim winter fuel payments. The Department will never ask people for bank details by text, email or via links to click within a text or email. These messages may be a scam and should be reported to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

"Winter Fuel Payments will normally be paid to eligible pensioners automatically in November and December. There is normally no need to claim this payment. Anyone who believes they are eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment and who does not receive a payment by 29 January 2025 should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.

"The Department has updated nidirect on the risks of scam messages and the action to take if one is received."

The Department for Economy, which oversees Trading Standards, is also "warning older people to be on their guard against scam emails, text and WhatsApp messages claiming to be from the government about the winter fuel allowance scheme".

A spokesperson said: "TSS has seen a number of text messages that ask people who qualify to apply for a winter heating subsidy. In many cases, a link is provided asking eligible individuals to claim the allowance but the message is not legitimate. The scam also creates a sense of urgency, warning that once the limit of applications is reached, no further winter heating subsidies will be paid out.

"Government agencies will never contact people in this way and will never ask for people’s bank details. These text scams are an attempt by criminals to steal people’s personal information and hack bank account details."

TSS offers the following advice to avoid being scammed:

• Always be vigilant when receiving unexpected messages. Never click on any links in unsolicited texts or emails as thus could enable scammers to infect your phone or device with malware that would enable them to steal confidential, personal information, including bank details.

• If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the Government about the winter fuel payment you should forward the text to 7726, which reports the message to your mobile phone provider. Suspicious emails can be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk for investigation by the National Cyber Security Centre.

• Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

• It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

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