Scammers are sending out texts pretending to be from the Government offering support with energy bills.
It comes amid the cost of living crisis, which has seen energy prices soar to record levels.
The Government has initiated a number of support schemes, including a £650 grant for people on certain benefits, and a £400 rebate that is being paid to all households, starting from October.
Fraudsters are attempting to capitalise on this support by asking people for their details. Here’s how to recognise the scam, and what to do about it.
What does the text scam look like?
The scam is coming in the form of a text message, often with the sender name “UK Help”.
It pretends to be from the Government, and asks people to click a link to apply for energy bill support.
However, the money is being paid to people automatically – you do not need to apply – so any text like this is a scam.
If you have already responded to the scam, stop correspondence immediately. Call your bank directly and cancel any recurring payments.
You can report the scam to the police through Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or report a scam anonymously on the Action Fraud website.
How does the £400 energy grant work?
The £400 energy payment is being made to every household in the country, without means testing.
Originally, the plan was for households to receive a £200 discount on their energy bills in October, which would then be paid back over five years from 2023, with customers paying an additional £40 on…
