Scam Warning: Beware of Cold Weather Payment Fraud

Hours Published on:
Money on a radiator, a £50 pounds and some £1 and £2 coins
Money on a radiator, a £50 pounds and some £1 and £2 coins

We’re urging residents to stay vigilant following a surge in scam emails related to Cold Weather Payments and the Winter Fuel Payment.

Action Fraud has reported a significant increase in fraudulent messages pretending to be from government agencies such as HMRC.

These emails encourage recipients to make a claim via a link, which directs them to phishing websites designed to steal personal and financial information.

Falling victim to these scams could result in identity theft or financial loss.

To protect yourself:
Check before you click – If you receive a message about Cold Weather Payments, verify it with the relevant organisation using contact details from their official website.

Stay alert to phishing attempts – Your bank or any official body will never ask for sensitive information via email.

Report suspicious emails – If you spot a scam email, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service at report@phishing.gov.uk

Help spread the word to prevent fraud in our community. Stay safe and stay informed!