Overview

• Fraudsters have sent texts falsely claiming to be DWP notices offering £200–£300 under a made-up Energy Support Scheme.
• Anyone who receives a suspicious message can forward it to 60599 to check its legitimacy via GOV.UK guidance.
• The National Cyber Security Centre recommends forwarding scam texts to 7726 so providers can investigate and block malicious senders.
• There is no actual application for energy grants; genuine payments such as the Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payment are paid automatically to eligible recipients.
• Research shows 6.6 million UK adults lost money to online scams in 2024, with average losses around £1,730, highlighting the need for vigilance.