A new scam warning has been sent out to millions of people who are due to receive a cost of living payment from the Government.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued the alert as more than eight million households will soon be getting the cash help. This spring, the first part of the £900 means-tested cost of living payment, worth £301, will start to be paid out.
Scammers will be taking advantage by targeting those who do not know how the payments are made. In posts shared on both Twitter and Facebook, the DWP reminded people that if they are eligible for a payment, they do not need to apply for it as the money will arrive in their bank account automatically.
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You should receive your payment in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits. The Government says this includes if you’re found to be eligible for a Cost of Living Payment or a Disability Cost of Living Payment at a later date.
The department also warned that it will never ask for personal details in a text message or an email, reports The Mirror. In its post, the DWP said: "Watch out for scammers targeting people about #CostOfLiving Payments.
“If you're eligible
- You do not need to apply for the payment
- You do not need to call us
- Payment to you is automatic
- We will never ask for personal details by SMS or email.”
The new warning reiterated the guidance on the official Cost of Living Payments page on GOV.UK. This guidance added: "If you have had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, this might be a scam." If you receive a text message like this, the DWP advises you forward it to 7726 in order to report the scam. It is completely free to do and simply reports the message to your mobile phone provider.
If you receive a suspicious email, then you should forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will investigate it.
The Government has yet to release the exact details on the eligibility criteria for the cost of living payments, although it is likely to be the same criteria as last year's payments. These are expected to be announced closer to the time.
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