DWP issues stark warning on cost of living payment – two things you should ‘never’ do | Personal Finance | Finance
More cost of living payments will be issued in November, and many people will be looking out for theirs to provide an extra bit of financial security. However, as people wait for their payment, is is vital to remain on one’s guard.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) took to Twitter to issue an important warning.
It said: “Watch out for scammers targeting people about cost of living payments.”
Those who are eligible, the DWP added, will “never” need to apply for the payment.
Nor will they need to call the Department in order to receive the money.
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The text states all people will need to do is click a link and enter their bank details for the payment to be issued.
However, this is a dangerous ruse, designed to get people to part with their sensitive information.
The consequences could be devastating, as scammers may then use the details to clear out a person’s bank account, or commit identity fraud.
Dr. Kiri Addison, Head of Data Scientist for Threat Intelligence & Overwatch at Mimecast, previously told Express.co.uk: “It is no surprise to see cybercriminals using the cost-of-living crisis to their advantage and attempting to steal personal information from the public.
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“Our researchers found an example of a scam targeting people and claiming to be from the DWP, with over 5,000 examples.
“These criminals are preying on the desperation that exists amongst many people that are currently struggling to pay bills at the moment, as well as using the confusion of the new Government laying out its legislative agenda.
“Phishing attacks are often modified to incorporate current events that are in the media in an attempt to lure the vulnerable to click on malicious links within emails.
“The public is obviously aware that there is much debate around grants for those in financial difficulty currently, which could lead to them thinking this correspondence is genuine.
“The UK public need to be aware of these scams and it is vital that they do not engage with electronic communication in relation to monies via email and certainly do not click on any links in any related message.”
The DWP has warned some websites, emails and phone numbers can be “spoofed” to make them look as if they are part of an official Government service when they are not.
As a result, they encourage Britons to search on GOV.UK for official services and phone numbers.
Suspicious emails can be reported to [email protected], while scam texts can be forwarded free to 7726.
Those who think they may have fallen victim are encouraged to contact their bank straight away, and then report the matter to Action Fraud or Police Scotland.
