The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a fresh alert on its social media platforms, advising the millions of individuals receiving benefits to be vigilant for fraudulent text messages attempting to steal their “personal or financial details”. At present, there are around 23.7 million people in Great Britain who are recipients of at least one benefit from DWP such as State Pension, Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, or Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
In an update shared on Twitter and Facebook, the DWP stated: “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.”
The DWP also encouraged anyone who has received a dubious text message to report it on GOV.UK – simply look up ‘avoid and report internet scams and phishing’. Cybercriminals could be exploiting the current cost of living crisis by mimicking trustworthy government entities such as the DWP or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) through ‘impersonation scams’.
Previously, there have been illegitimate text messages regarding ‘unclaimed cost of living payments’ and the Warm Home Discount scheme. These texts typically feature ‘direct links’ to claim benefits, which is something the DWP would not do – Universal Credit claimants are usually contacted by their Work Coach via their online journal.
If you receive a text and you’re uncertain whether it’s genuinely from a DWP department or HM Revenue and Customs, the safest course of action is to ring them for confirmation, reports the Daily Record.
Simple steps to avoid scammers
Here are some quick checks everyone can perform regularly to identify and avoid potential scams.
Never disclose your financial or personal details
Avoid sharing your personal or financial information with anyone. This includes refraining from jotting down your banking details.
If you can commit your information to memory, this is the safest approach, but if you do need to note down your details, ensure they’re stored in a secure place and not carried around when shopping. Reputable retailers will never request your PIN, CVC number or other online banking identifiers.
Regularly review your bank statement
If you spot an unfamiliar transaction, it’s crucial to notify your bank straight away to have the card blocked. Most banks operate a dedicated fraud action line, where you can report the theft and ask for a refund.
Keep tabs on your cards
If you misplace any of your bank cards or suspect they’ve been nicked, you should get in touch with your bank immediately so they can freeze it.
Many banks now allow you to do this via their app rather than phoning up, which can expedite the process. It might be handy to have your bank’s contact details and phone number at hand, so you can reach out to them if necessary.
Be wary of suspicious emails or texts
Avoid responding to text messages or emails if you’re uncertain of their authenticity. A solid rule of thumb is to never disclose private, personal information.
This includes details such as your bank account information or passwords; no legitimate company should ever request these.
Emails or texts with grammatical errors can often indicate a phishing scam from an illegitimate source, so it’s best to avoid opening these.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links
Refrain from clicking on any links if you’re unsure of their legitimacy.
Avoid downloading anything sent to you via email or text. It’s advisable to have antivirus software installed, which will scan for malware and safeguard against phishing attacks.
