Sharp Rise in Winter Fuel Scams Prompts Renewed Warning from Fraud Team 

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Fraud Safeguarding Team has issued a renewed warning to residents following a sharp rise in scams relating to Winter Fuel Payments. Despite earlier alerts, the force says it is still receiving “a very high number of reports” from people who have been tricked into sharing personal or financial information with criminals.

The warning follows a recent government announcement highlighting a dramatic increase in attempts to exploit vulnerable households. According to the Department for Work and Pensions, there has been “a surge of over 150% in winter fuel payment scams” across the UK.

Fraud officers emphasised that the DWP will never contact individuals to request information about Winter Fuel Payments. “The DWP will not contact you – they know everything about you. They know who is eligible, and who is not; it is an automatic payment,” the Fraud Safeguarding Team said.

They added that once criminals obtain personal or financial details, victims may continue to be targeted. “Do not share your personal or financial information with strangers – it will be used to repeatedly retarget you,” the team warned.

Residents who receive suspicious emails are encouraged to report them to their email provider or forward them to report@phishing.gov.uk. Unwanted calls or scam text messages that haven’t been engaged with can be forwarded to 7726, a free service used by mobile networks to help block fraudulent numbers.

The team also urged the public to share the warning and to sign up for Hampshire Alerts, the constabulary’s community messaging system.

While Hampshire Alerts provides crime-prevention and safety information, it is not a crime-reporting tool. Those affected by crime are encouraged to contact the Victim Care Hub for confidential support by visiting their website or calling 0808 178 1641. Reports can also be made anonymously via Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111. If you realise you have been scammed, you can report fraud directly to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040.

In emergencies, or if a crime is in progress, residents should call 999. For non-emergencies, information on reporting crime is available on the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website.