Cybercriminals are now using the government's recently announced heating allowance for pensioners to carry out scams via text messages.
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UK policing group the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) Network has urged older people to be on the lookout for texts claiming to be from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or the Home Office.
Several victims of the message scams have posted warnings about the content on X (formerly Twitter).
Most encourage the user to click on a link to complete their “application” for winter fuel subsidy within a specific deadline, claiming that all British citizens can apply.
In a controversial move, the new Labor government has cut winter fuel subsidies to some pensioners as part of its efforts to balance the books.
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The 2024 Social Fund winter fuel payment regulations will effectively mean that people who do not receive pension credit or other benefits will not receive the subsidy either.
Given the huge amount of discussion about the controversial policy, it was only a matter of time before scammers used the news to their advantage. It's a classic social engineering that, when combined with a pressing deadline, could trick some of society's most vulnerable members into handing over their personal data and/or money.
Two-fifths (40%) of older adults in the UK experience mostly telephone fraud attempts on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, according to a study published in July.
Three-quarters (75%) of the scams recorded by the survey were carried out over the phone – 60% via voice calls and 11% via text messages, according to the University of Portsmouth.
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Text message fraud, also known as smishing (SMS phishing), is becoming increasingly common as scammers try to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals. These deceptive messages are often disguised as trusted organizations, such as banks or government agencies, in an attempt to trick recipients into providing personal information or clicking on malicious links. Characteristics of scam texts include urgent language, calls for quick action, and requests for sensitive data. To protect yourself, never click on links from unknown sources and avoid sharing personal information via text messages. Always verify the legitimacy of a message by contacting the organization directly using official communication channels.
Source: infosecurity-magazine
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