Consumer group Which? has urged households to be cautious after the Government announced a new £100 energy payment, warning that fraudsters could use the news to trick people into handing over personal and banking details.
The payment was announced in Wednesday's Budget and will go to eligible households living in properties in Council Tax bands A to D in England. Chancellor John Healey confirmed that up to 20 million households could receive extra help with their energy bills this winter.
How the payment will be made
Under the new scheme, the £100 Household Energy Payment will be paid from January 2027. Households that pay their Council Tax by direct debit will not need to apply, as the money will be paid directly into their bank accounts. Those who do not pay by direct debit will be contacted by their local council and invited to apply.
The Government has made clear that nobody other than a person's local council should contact them asking them to claim the payment. This means households should be particularly suspicious of unexpected texts or emails containing links to claim the £100.
How to spot the scams
Which? has previously uncovered fake messages claiming that people are entitled to hundreds of pounds in energy support. These messages direct recipients to fraudulent websites designed to look like official Government pages, where scammers attempt to steal their information.
The consumer watchdog highlighted the risk again on October 28, following the latest Budget announcement. Which? advises people not to click on suspicious links or provide personal information through unexpected messages.
What to do if you are unsure
Anyone unsure whether a message is genuine should contact their council directly rather than using the details provided in the message. People can also report fraudulent websites to the National Cyber Security Centre.
The payment will be available to eligible households in England, while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive separate funding to provide similar support.
