A Foyle MLA has taken to social media to warn people across the city of Derry and further afield of an energy bills scam text.
The SDLP's Mark H Durkan took to Facebook to warn people of the scam text, which was offering a discounted energy bill.
The Foyle representative accused those behind the scam of "preying on vulnerable people".
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In a Facebook post, he said: "Folks please share, there is an Energy Bill text scam doing the rounds at the moment.
"Disgrace that fraudsters are preying on vulnerable people, many who are in desperate need amid the current costs crisis. Please tell friends and family to be vigilant.
"HMRC will never request personal information or financial details via text."
The text said: "GOV.UK: We have identified you as eligible for a discounted energy bill under the Energy Bills Support Scheme."
Recent scams such as these targeting those who may be struggling with their bills is a stark reminder of how vulnerable people are in the cost of living crisis.
Firmus Energy, who supply gas to households in Derry as part of their Ten Towns scheme, announced a 56.3% price rise.
Commenting on this, the SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said: "There is no way to dress up the fact that price increases at this scale are unaffordable. Working families and vulnerable households simply will not be able to pay for their energy needs. It is immoral that we have reached this point.
"It is a damning indictment of political leadership in London and at Stormont that since May’s election there has been no new scheme, no new money and no new support to get people through this crisis. People deserve better than failure after failure."
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