Pensioners and vulnerable people are being warned not to fall for scams targeting recipients of the winter fuel allowance.
The scams are mostly sent through email, text messages and phone calls explaining how they are eligible for a refund or due a payment by clicking on links that take their private information whether its personal or financial.
Joseph Atkinson from Huyton, Liverpool shared his recent distressing story of being scammed by this malicious fake scheme.
He said: “I just thought it was a genuine message, I can’t tell when its fake or not, if it wasn’t for my granddaughter noticing I wouldn’t have knew.”
Atkinson said: “I lost quite a bit of money, it just looked so real and I’m embarrassed”. He wishes for people to raise more awareness and that people need better protection from these scammers.
The HMRC and DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) has released many warnings about these scams, exaggerating that they would never ask for personal or financial details through text or email.
Kelly Paterson, HMRC’s Chief Security Officer, said: “Don’t be fooled by these attempts by scammers to take your money or access your personal information.
“Never let yourself be rushed. If someone contacts you saying they’re HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard. If a phone call, text or email is suspicious or unexpected, don’t give out private information or reply, and don’t download attachments or click on links.
“I’m urging people to be alert to scams relating to Winter Fuel Payments and to report any suspicious texts, phone calls or emails to HMRC.
“Taking action now could help HMRC prevent fraud and protect customers who may have received bogus messages.”
For more advice on how to stay safe online, visit the Home Office ‘Stop! Think Fraud’ website at www.gov.uk/stopthinkfraud
