The Department for Work and Pensions has issued an urgent warning about fraudulent text messages as people have money taken from their accounts.
Britons are being caught out by texts encouraging them to claim their Energy Bills Support scheme money by a specific deadline.
The scam messages purport to be an official DWP notice, alerting people they have not yet submitted applications for energy allowances.
Britons are given until June 6, 2025 to register for the payment.
The messages include links urging immediate action, claiming the "application channel will be permanently closed" after the deadline.
The scam text, sent to members of the public on June 5, reads: "DWP Notice: You have not yet submitted your application for the 2024-2025 fiscal year energy allowance.
"According to our records, you are eligible for the Energy Support Scheme and may receive a grant of £200 to £300. Please complete your application by 6 June 2025.
"Late applications will not be accepted, and the application channel will be permanently closed."
The Energy Bills Support scheme actually ended on April 1 2024
GBNEWS
The message includes a link with the instruction to "apply now", attempting to create urgency by suggesting recipients have less than 24 hours to claim the supposed funds.
The Energy Bills Support scheme actually ended on April 1 2024, making these messages entirely fraudulent.
A DWP spokesperson confirmed to GBNews: "The Energy Bills Support scheme ended on the 1st of April 2024. If you have any doubt whether a text is genuine, forward it to 60599 and you will receive a reply confirming if it's legitimate."
The DWP confirmed that if you have any doubt whether a text is genuine, forward it to 60599 and you will receive a reply confirming if it's legitimate
PAThe scheme previously provided electricity users with discounts on their bills but is no longer running, with no plans for revival.
Government analysts review each message forwarded to 60599 and take action to shut down phishing sites and work with network providers against repeat offenders.
The warning comes amid a wider epidemic of online fraud affecting millions of Britons.
According to Which? research, around 6.6 million people have lost money in the UK to online scams in the last 12 months to November 2024, with typical losses reaching £1,730 per victim.
Those who have already provided money or personal information should contact their bank immediately and report the incident to Action Fraud
GETTYGovernment impersonation scams are particularly prevalent, with National Trading Standards data revealing 73 per cent of UK adults have been targeted by fraudsters claiming to represent Government departments including HMRC. Of those approached, 35 per cent suffered financial losses.
Anyone receiving suspicious messages should forward them to 60599 for verification.
Those who have already provided money or personal information should contact their bank immediately and report the incident to Action Fraud.
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