DWP Winter Fuel Payment urgent deadline scam
Impersonating: DWP
What is this scam?
Fraudulent texts impersonating the Department for Work and Pensions claim recipients must apply urgently for a Winter Fuel Payment or their claim will be closed. Victims are directed to a fake GOV.UK-lookalike page requesting bank account numbers, National Insurance numbers, and personal details.
Example scam message
DWP: Your Winter Fuel Payment application has not been completed. You must provide your bank details by midnight tonight or your payment will be cancelled: dwp-winterfuel.xyz/apply
Red flags to look out for
- The message creates urgency — threatening a fine, missed delivery, or account closure.
- Links lead to unofficial domains that don't match the real company's website.
- You weren't expecting this message and can't verify the event it references.
- It asks you to confirm payment details or personal information via a link.
- The sender's number or email address doesn't match the company's official contact.
What to do if you receive this
- Do not click links or call numbers provided in the message.
- Contact the organisation directly using details from their official GOV.UK page.
- Forward the message to 7726 or email report@phishing.gov.uk.
- Report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.
Received this message?
Forward it to 7726 (free on all UK networks) to report it to your mobile provider.
You can also report it to Action Fraud
or email the NCSC at report@phishing.gov.uk.
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