We have been made aware of the start of criminal activity using both text messages and emails to try and steal bank details by playing on elderly people's concerns about the Winter Fuel Payment.

What is “Phishing”?

Phishing is a cybercrime in which a target or targets are contacted by email, telephone or text message by someone posing as a legitimate institution to lure individuals into providing sensitive data such as personally identifiable information, banking and credit card details, and passwords. The information is then used to access important accounts and can result in identity theft and financial loss.

Clicking unknown links puts your information at risk - don't let the cyber-criminals get your information.

An example of a text is shown below  - 

For more information please click on the link for ‘Age UK ‘ which contains some useful advice on how to recognise this type of text and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim  - https://www.ageuk.org.uk/birmingham/about-us/news/articles/2024/winter-payment-phishing/