HMRC issue winter fuel payment scam warning after thousands targeted
Pensioners targeted in winter fuel payment scam
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) received over 15,000 reports of bogus activity in June, with fraudsters targeting vulnerable people using texts and phishing websites related to winter fuel payments.
- HMRC has urged the public to be vigilant against suspicious communications, including phone calls, emails, and texts, and to report them via gov.uk, adding: “Don’t be fooled”.
- The revenue body clarified that it will never contact individuals by text to claim winter fuel payments or request personal information.
- Eligible individuals will receive winter fuel payments automatically without needing to make a claim.
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that nine million pensioners will receive the payments this winter, reversing a previous decision to limit them.