HMRC Winter Fuel Payment clawback phishing scam
Impersonating: HMRC
What is this scam?
Scammers are exploiting the real HMRC exercise to recover Winter Fuel Payments from 1.3 million higher-earning pensioners, which began in late March 2026. Fraudulent texts and emails mimic the genuine HMRC communications but — unlike the real letters — include links and demand immediate bank verification to 'avoid penalties'. Genuine HMRC clawback communications contain no links and require no action from recipients.
Example scam message
HMRC: We are recovering your 2024/25 Winter Fuel Payment of £300. You must confirm your bank details to avoid a tax penalty. Verify now before 15 April: hmrc-winterfuel-recover.xyz/verify
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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