Winter Fuel Payments – DWP scam warning #Don’tShootTheMessenger

Good afternoon,

I know from bitter experience that you really don’t like it when we repeat a scam warning. 

Unfortunately, despite previous warnings, we are still receiving a very high number of reports of people saying they’ve been contacted by phone/text/email/letter and they’ve shared some personal/financial information with criminals.   Don’t just take my word for it – the UK government are reporting 150% surge in winter fuel payment scams: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pensioners-warned-to-stay-alert-as-winter-fuel-payment-scams-surge-by-over-150

The DWP will not contact you – they know everything about you – they know who is eligible, and who is not, it is an automatic payment.

Do not share your personal/financial information with strangers - it will be used to repeatedly retarget you.

If you’ve received a phishing email please report it to your email provider and/or forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk 

If you’ve received unwanted phone calls or texts from people you think are trying to scam you, but you haven’t engaged with them, please forward the text/phone number to 7726.

Please do share this with anyone who you think be interested – and please encourage your friends and family to sign up for Hampshire Alerts https://www.hampshirealert.co.uk/ 

Hampshire Alerts is not a crime reporting portal – please do not report crime here.

If you've been affected by a crime please contact Victim Care Hub for free, confidential support:  https://www.hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk/  or phone 0808 178 1641

If you would like to report a crime anonymously please contact: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or phone 0800 555 111

If you realise you’ve been scammed and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Action Fraud either phone 0300 123 2040 or online at: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

If a crime is in progress, and/or you are in fear for yourself or someone else, and/or there is evidence in situ that could be damaged/destroyed, please phone 999 immediately. 

Otherwise, report online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team