Don’t be fooled by a Cost of Living Payment text scam in the run-up to the next payment.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) scheme has been set up to help millions of people amid the cost of living crisis, with the first £301 payment for the 23/24 period made between April and May.
A second £300 payment is due in autumn 2023 – but the exact date is TBC.
But as the payment period nears, a Daily Record reader warned that they’d been sent a text message telling them to ‘apply’ for an ‘£800 Cost of Living Payment’, allegedly from the government.
There was a link in the message, which they were urged to click in order to ‘apply’ for the support.
However, the reader knew the text was likely not legitimate and formed part of a scam attempt, instead warning others – as you do not need to apply for Cost of Living Payments.
If you’re eligible, you’ll get them automatically.
They’ll be paid in the same way as other benefits you receive from the DWP, or tax credits from HMRC.
The official UK government website, gov.uk, confirms this on its page about the Cost of Living Payments, stating: ‘You do not need to apply. If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits.
‘This includes if you’re found to be eligible at a later date.
‘If you have had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, this might be a scam.’
Of course, this isn’t the first instance of a text scam doing the rounds relating to the Cost of Living Payment.
Last month, the DWP issued a warning over a ‘£750 Cost of Living Payment’ text message plot.
To steer clear of scams, the simple advice to ignore any messages telling you to ‘apply’ for Cost of Living Payments, do not click on suspicious links, and do not reveal your personal information.
‘If you’re phoned, emailed or texted by someone asking you to apply, it’s best to hang up or ignore the message,’ says Metro.co.uk’s advice for dealing with such scams.
‘Scammers will try and persuade you to hand over your personal information – this can be anything from your date of birth to home address and bank details.
‘They may be very persuasive, even promising a payout once you’ve parted with the info or ‘registered your details’.
‘But if you don’t pass it on, they can’t win.’
Suspicious texts can be forwarded, free of charge, to 7726 – while any potential scam emails can be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk, so the National Cyber Security Centre can look into it.
Anyone concerned they have already been scammed can contact Action Fraud here.
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