Overview

• HMRC recorded a 153% week-on-week jump in reported scam texts in the final week of September as fraudsters posed as officials handling Winter Fuel Payment applications.
• Eligible pensioners will receive letters in October or November confirming amounts, with payments scheduled from mid-November through December 2025.
• Officials reiterate they will never ask for bank details by text and urge people not to click links or share personal information.
• Eligibility this year includes those born before 22 September 1959 and is means tested, with around nine million pensioners typically receiving £200 or £300 depending on age.
• The DWP has expanded an awareness campaign with Action Fraud and charities, advising people to forward scam texts to 7726 and use official channels to report HMRC-themed phishing.