Households across Scotland and the UK receiving the £650 cost of living payment have been issued an urgent scam warning.
Millions of people claiming benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) received the first £326 instalment of the payment last month, with some still waiting. Those who are eligible for the money and have not yet received it have been advised to get in touch with the office that pays their benefits.
With so many people due a payment from the government, and with the cost of living crisis continuing to worsen, criminals have taken advantage of the situation to try and steal money from unsuspecting victims.
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As reported by The Mirror, fraudsters are getting in touch with people and telling them that they can still receive the first £326 payment. In reality, they use this as a front to try and steal bank details or other personal information.
According to the GOV.UK website: "You do not need to apply. You’ll be paid automatically. If you have had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, this might be a scam."
In order to qualify for the first payment, you will need to have qualified for one of the list of means-tested benefits on May 25, 2022, including:
Child Tax Credit
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
Working Tax Credit
Claiming any of the following benefits will not qualify you for the cost of living payment:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- 'New style' Employment and Support Allowance
- Guardian's Allowance
- 'New style' Jobseeker's Allowance
- Maternity Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension
- Statutory sick pay
- Statutory adoption, maternity, paternity and shared parental pay
Additionally, if you receive Housing Benefit but no other benefit you will not get the £650 payment.
I'm not eligible for the £650 - what help can I get?
If you receive specific disability benefits, you may qualify for a £150 cost of living payment due in September. Pensioners who receive Winter Fuel Payments will also be given an additional £300.
Further, every household in England, Scotland, and Wales will get £400 off their energy bills, spread out over six months from October. Instead of a cash payment, the money will be applied directly to your energy account.
Direct debit and credit customers will have the money credited to their account, while those with pre-payment meters will have the money added to their meter or paid via a voucher.
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