Citizens Advice Telford & the Wrekin

We’ve seen a rise in scam text messages locally, and many of them look like they’re from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). They often mention things like Winter Fuel Payments, the Warm Home Discount, or other support schemes, and on the surface they can look pretty convincing. But they’re not real.

These messages usually try to rush you into clicking a link or handing over personal details. Some even promise payments of up to £300 or claim you’ve “missed out” on something. It’s all designed to push you into acting quickly.

The important thing to remember is this: the DWP will never text you asking for bank details or asking you to apply through a link. If you’re eligible for payments like Winter Fuel or the Household Support Fund, you won’t need to apply through a text message.

If one of these messages lands on your phone, the safest thing to do is:

• Don’t click the link
• Don’t reply
• Forward it to 7726 (this helps your phone provider block the scam)
• And if you’re unsure, always check information directly through GOV.UK, not from a text that’s come out of the blue.

We’re also seeing these DWP scam texts pop up alongside other seasonal scams, for example, missing energy payments. So if something feels off, trust your instincts.

If you want a second pair of eyes before taking action, you can always get in touch with Citizens Advice Telford & the Wrekin, we’re here to help.