A scam warning has been sent out to those who are due to receive a cost of living payment from the Government.
The first £301 low-income (means tested) Cost of Living Payment in Northern Ireland is due to be paid between 25 April 2023 and 17 May 2023 for most people on Department for Communities/Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits.
It is part of a £900 payment that will be made in three installments this year.
Read more: DWP confirms who will get spring cost of living payments
The DWP issued the alert as households will soon be getting the cash help, reports Chronicle Live.
Scammers will be taking advantage by targeting those who do not know how the payments are made. In posts shared on both Twitter and Facebook, the DWP reminded people that if they are eligible for a payment, they do not need to apply for it as the money will arrive in their bank account automatically.
You should receive your payment in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits. The Government says this includes if you’re found to be eligible for a Cost of Living Payment or a Disability Cost of Living Payment at a later date.
The department also warned that it will never ask for personal details in a text message or an email, reports The Mirror. In its post, the DWP said: "Watch out for scammers targeting people about #CostOfLiving Payments.
“If you're eligible
- You do not need to apply for the payment
- You do not need to call us
- Payment to you is automatic
- We will never ask for personal details by SMS or email.”
The new warning reiterated the guidance on the official Cost of Living Payments page on GOV.UK. This guidance added: "If you have had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, this might be a scam."
If you receive a text message like this, the DWP advises you forward it to 7726 in order to report the scam. It is completely free to do and simply reports the message to your mobile phone provider.
If you receive a suspicious email, then you should forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will investigate it.
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