Claimants are being warned that scammers are targeting them as bogus texts and links are being increasingly widely circulated.
The living allowance text claims to be from the “UK Government Living Allowance Office”. It plays on the fact that millions of pensioners will be very worried about no longer being eligible for a winter fuel allowance and appears to offer an alternative.
The text reads:
“UK Government Living Allowance Office Last Time Reminder: Due to the reduction of winter heating subsidy, you can no longer receive it, and the uk government has decided to advance the living subsidy to allow you to survive the winter.
“We will reopen applications. Please apply for your living subsidy in the link as soon as possible after receiving the information. If you do not submit an application before 2024/10/15, we will cancel your qualification and reallocate the funds.
“Thank you for your support to the UK Government”
If you receive such a text, do not click on the link and do not respond in any way.
If you have clicked on the link or given any details, contact your bank.
Meanwhile Citizens Advice are warning people to beware of a scam UC app called “Universal Credit UK”, which is targeted on people worried or confused by the UC claims process, especially with managed migration in the news at the moment. Citizens Advice say that the DWP is investigating the app and warns people not to respond to any suspicious text messages.
The app is still available on the Apple Store, which lists the developers address as Benin City in Nigeria.
Anyone who has given information to the scam should report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
A quick web search reveals a number of other UC apps available for use on Android phones, but none of them are in any way connected with the DWP.
Citizens Advice warns “People should use only the DWP Universal Credit website, and if you are unsure how to claim, the Citizens Advice Help To Claim service can offer support on 0800 144 8 444.”
