The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a fresh warning to benefit claimants about a surge in mobile phone scams. Fraudsters are targeting victims with fake text messages claiming to be from the DWP, offering payments such as the Winter Fuel Payment or an 'Energy Support Scheme'. The DWP has posted four warnings on social media in the last month urging people to stay vigilant.
One scam text tells recipients they have not yet applied for a 'winter allowance' and asks them to click a link to provide bank details. The DWP clarified: 'We never send text messages or emails requesting your bank details for winter fuel payment purposes.' Claimants are advised to forward suspicious texts to 7726 to verify their legitimacy.
Another scam claims people are eligible for an 'Energy Support Scheme' of between £200 and £300, with a deadline of 10 June 2025. The message instructs recipients to reply 'y' and click a link to activate it. The DWP warned: 'Be aware of scam text messages claiming to be from the Department for Work and Pensions. Always be careful about links and never share personal or financial details.'
In addition to text scams, a WhatsApp scam is circulating where fraudsters impersonate family members, such as a child claiming to need urgent money for a taxi. The scam can involve hacked accounts and voice recordings to mimic the victim's relatives. A TikToker warned that some people have lost their life savings to this trick.
The DWP advises reporting suspicious messages to Action Fraud or visiting gov.uk for guidance. Claimants should only engage with trusted official sources and avoid sharing personal or financial information via unsolicited messages.
