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Increase in targeted scams on winter fuel payment slammed

The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, the campaigning organisation for older people in Scotland, has today issued an urgent warning following an increased surge in fraudulent text and email scams linked to the Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland.

Scammers are impersonating official bodies, such as the Department for Work and Pensions, sending unsolicited texts and emails warning recipients they must apply or risk losing their payment; these messages often feature urgent deadlines and links to fraudulent websites.

David Edwards, SPF Chair stated:

“Online fraudsters have again stepped up their game, targeting older and vulnerable people via text messages, similar to the email scams of the past few months.

“Recent reports have shown that as many as 400,000 older people in Scotland have been targeted and it’s on the rise again as winter looms.

“Age Scotland has a free helpline (0800 12 44 222) dedicated to offering advice and support on such matters and we urge anyone to use this service if they are concerned about any suspicious correspondence they receive.

“Too many older people are unsure of their entitlement on the winter fuel payment, with conflicting information flying around in all directions, so more has to be done to make sure that vulnerable people are protected and kept up to date.

“We believe that it is imperative that the Scottish Government puts out an urgent announcement to inform older people that an application for payment is not necessary and that eligible pensioners will receive their payments automatically.

“Its all very well saying ‘we are doing the best with what we have’ but older people, particularly those unfamiliar with online and digital devices, could end up even worse off and with their bank accounts stripped after being taken in by these tricksters.

“Official communications will never ask for personal or financial information, but it is a worrying trend that some older people are so desperate to make sure that they don’t lose out on a vital lifeline that they will quite happily respond to these ever more sophisticated scams.

“These fraudsters have absolutely no conscience, it’s shameful”