
The benefits office has urged Britons to remain vigilant after an influx of winter fuel payment scam texts circulated. The fraudulent texts claim to be from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and urge people to apply for this year's winter fuel benefit.
The link takes users to a fake site impersonating GOV.UK, requesting personal details from unwitting mobile phone users. The scam text reads: "Department for Work and Pensions official reminder: Our records show you have not yet applied for the 2025 -2026 winter fuel payment. Please click on the link to view the subsidy amount. Failure to apply by this date will mean you are no longer eligible."

The text then shares a link to the fake website, with further instructions to respond to the message to "activate" the link.
In a new post on X, the DWP warned people of the surge in scams: "Be aware of scam text messages claiming to be from@dwpgovuk. Always be careful about links and never share personal or financial details. Only engage with trusted official sources."
It then urged people to report suspicious messages to Action Fraud. You can also forward the scam to the mobile number 7726 - it's free.
Fraudsters are exploiting confusion around the newly expanded winter fuel payment scheme, which will see millions of pensioners across England and Wales receive up to £300 this year.
The Government has broadened eligibility for the benefit this winter. Now, any pensioner born before September 22, 1959, with a total annual income of £35,000 or less will automatically receive the payment, which is intended to help cover rising heating bills.
This marks a significant change from last year, when, controversially, only those on Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits qualified.
The payment will be made automatically, usually in November or December, with no need to apply.
This means any message claiming otherwise, especially those seeking bank details, payments, or warning of urgent deadlines, should be treated with suspicion.
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