Consumer rights expert Martin Lewis has issued a warning about this recent scam as criminals target the £400 energy bills discount this winter.
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The £400 discount is something that should happen automatically and there is no need to apply to the scheme. However scammers are taking advantage of any confusion that is surrounding the discount.
What's happening
The financial help being offered this winter on energy bills is unprecedented and an indication of the difficult times the UK economy is facing. Business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg says, in The Guardian, it would protect people ‘across the country from what was going to be an 80% increase in energy bills this winter’
As a result, criminal gangs are posing as the government and sending messages to households requesting personal information. These details are then used to gain access to bank accounts and transfer money out of them.
Martin Lewis stated, according to Chronicle Live:
If you are contacted about the £66 a month, £400 winter electricity payment, you will be contacted by your energy firm, to give you info about it. You will not be asked to fill in any details.
What to do
People should not give away any personal details in order to apply for the discount. Households should be aware of any suspicious looking emails or texts purporting to someone they are not. TheBBCreports,
A number of different scams have been circulating, including some that appear to be from the energy regulator Ofgem.
Subsequently, Ofgem has asked energy suppliers to give more information on potential customer fraud on their websites.
Consumers are being encouraged to report any potential scams and the government said no household should be asked for bank details at any point.
Sources used:
- Chronicle Live'Martin Lewis issues scam warning as people start to receive £400 energy bills cash'
- The Guardian 'Ministers warn of scammers posing as energy bill support scheme'
- BBC'Warning over scam energy bill support messages'
Read more:
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⋙ The British government is handing out £400 for energy bills, here’s how to claim it
