The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has put out an urgent warning on its social media channels advising millions of people receiving benefits such as the State Pension (a contributory benefit), Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance or Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) to be on the lookout for text messages from criminals trying to steal their “personal or financial details”.
In post shared on X and Facebook, DWP said: “Be aware of scam text messages claiming to be from @dwpgovuk. Always be careful about links and never share personal or financial details, only engage with trusted official sources.” DWP then urged anyone who receives a suspicious text message to report it on GOV.UK – just search ‘avoid and report internet scams and phishing’.
Online criminals may be trying to capitalise on the ongoing cost of living crisis and the run-up to the festive period by pretending to be official government bodies. These are known as ‘impersonation scams’.
In the past we’ve seen scam text messages about ‘unclaimed cost of living payments’ and the Warm Home Discount.
These texts often include ‘direct links’ to make a claim – something DWP never does. Universal Credit claimants will usually be contacted by their Work Coach through their online journal.
If you receive a text and you’re not sure if it is genuinely from a DWP department- the Scottish Government, Social Security Scotland or HM Revenue and Customs – the safest way to check is to call them and ask.
This new scam text message alert from the DWP follows on from another warning issued last month to people using its online services at GOV.UK.
At the time, DWP reminded new and existing claimants that it “does not publish any applications for download to your mobile devices or PCs” in an effort to stop people being tricked into divulging their personal and financial information to online scammers.