We have received reports of residents receiving text messages and/or emails in relation to their Winter Fuel Payments and asking for personal details such as their driving licence number, passport number and bank details. This is a scam know as “phishing” and has been occurring elsewhere in the UK since Autumn last year. 

An example of the text is shown here:  

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. 

Only ever click links from trusted sites; never click ones you are unsure of.

For more information and some useful advice on how to recognise this type of scam and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/birmingham/about-us/news/articles/2024/winter-payment-phishing/