DWP alert for all benefit claimants with a smartphone | Personal Finance | Finance

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a warning to all benefit claimants who own mobile phones, cautioning them against text message scams. Fraudsters are reportedly impersonating the DWP in an attempt to steal “personal or financial details” from unsuspecting victims.

Around 23.7 million people in the UK receive benefits such as State Pension, Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, or Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).

Writing on X and Facebook, the DWP said: “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.”

Beneficiaries are urged by the DWP to report any dubious text messages through the official GOV.UK portal by looking up ‘avoid and report internet scams and phishing’.

Amidst the cost of living crisis, cybercriminals are seizing the opportunity to conduct ‘impersonation scams’, posing as credible government bodies like the DWP or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), reports the Daily Record.

There have been a number of cases of counterfeit texts tricking individuals with promises of ‘unclaimed cost of living payments’ and false claims for the Warm Home Discount scheme.

The DWP is warning the public to be cautious of messages and emails offering applications for Winter Fuel Payments, which are due to be automatically distributed in November or December without any application needed. Such messages frequently include ‘direct links’ to make a claim – a practice the DWP never employs. Universal Credit claimants are usually contacted by their Work Coach through their online journal.

If you’re unsure about the authenticity of a text from a DWP department or HM Revenue and Customs, the safest approach is to contact them directly for clarification.

Simple steps to avoid scammers

Here are some quick checks everyone can do regularly to spot and avoid potential scams.

Never share your financial or personal information

Don’t share your personal or financial details with anyone. This includes not writing down your banking details.

If you can remember your information, this is the safest option, but if you need to write down your details, ensure they’re kept in a secure place and not taken with you when shopping. Reputable retailers will never ask for your PIN, CVC number or other identifying online banking information.

Regularly review your bank statement

If you spot an unfamiliar transaction, it’s crucial to tell your bank straight away to have the card blocked. Most banks have a dedicated fraud action line, where you can report the theft and request a refund.

Keep tabs on your cards

If you misplace any of your bank cards or suspect they’ve been stolen, you should contact your bank immediately so they can freeze it.

Many banks now allow you to do this via their app, speeding up the process. It might be handy to have your bank’s contact details readily available if necessary.

Be wary of suspicious emails or texts

Avoid responding to text messages or emails if their authenticity is questionable. You should never disclose private, personal information such as your banking details or passwords; no legitimate company should ever request these.

Emails or texts with grammatical errors could indicate a phishing scam from an illegitimate source, so it’s best to avoid these

Avoid suspicious links

Avoid clicking on any links if you’re uncertain about their legitimacy.

Avoid downloading anything sent to you via email or text. Having antivirus software installed is also advisable as it scans for malware and safeguards against phishing attacks.