Elderly warned of scam texts about winter heating cash

Ann Docherty, 84, was sent a scam message which her son told her was not real

Older people are being warned about a surge in scam messages relating to winter heating payments.

Age Scotland has issued the warning over texts urging people to "apply now" for winter heating support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

In Scotland the payment is handled by Social Security Scotland, and, for the vast majority, it is automatic.

But the charity says the UK government's U-turn over the heating benefit and differing arrangements in Scotland have prompted confusion.

Ann Docherty, 84, was sent the text and she said it looked official.

The message mentioned the Department for Work and Pensions and urged her to "apply now" for her winter heating allowance or risk missing out.

Luckily, she didn't click on the link.

She said: "I've always got the money. It's always been automatic.

"When I showed it to my son he said: 'That's a scam'."

At Castlemilk Senior Centre in Glasgow, others in the line-dancing class are concerned by Ann's message.

Emily McCole said: "I think it's terrible that they're taking advantage of people, but some of them, it's like well-known organisations they're using as a front."

Ann Stoddart always treats unknown texts with suspicion. She said: "It's concerning. I just do not open them. I just delete it straight away."

But Maureen Crawford said she had received similar messages and been tempted to open them.

"I might even have believed it if my husband hadn't been there," she said.

The message claims to be sent from the Department for Work and Pensions

According to Age Scotland, the tactics of these messages are familiar.

This one appears to be from the DWP. It warns people to apply or lose out on money for heating over the winter.

In Scotland, this should set off alarm bells because the DWP does not administrate the payment which is paid automatically. There is no need to fill in a form sent by text.

Adam Stachura, policy and communications director at the charity, said their helpline has had an unusual spike in calls since early August.

He said: "People ask: 'Is this right? What do I do? I thought I didn't have to claim. Should I click it?'

"We tell them, no, please don't."

Adam Stachura from Age Scotland said there had been an increase in calls to their helpline about text messages

He said scammers were exploiting months of "mixed messages" about winter support at the time when people are starting to worry about bills.

The hook is simple. The wording feels credible. There is a deadline.

The link is one thumb-press away. For many older people, small text on a screen and the promise of help can be enough to trigger a quick tap.

Clicking on a scam link can lead to a range of negative outcomes, including infecting your phone with a virus, or being redirected to a fake website that tricks the user into entering sensitive information like login credentials, bank details, or personal information.

David Wallace, Chief Executive of Social Security Scotland said the payment was automatic and people should not be asked to fill in a form

David Wallace, chief executive of Social Security Scotland, is clear about what to do.

"For the vast majority of people in Scotland, payments for winter heating will be automatic and we will never ask people to share personal or financial information by text. This is not how we communicate with our clients."

He said if a message asks you to apply via a link, ignore it. Use official sites or trusted helplines instead.

Scotland's Pension Age Winter Heating Payment replaces the UK Winter Fuel Payment here from winter 2025–26 and will be administered by Social Security Scotland.

People can check information about the benefits and payments they are entitled to at Social Security Scotland or mygov.scot.

They can also call a trusted helpline such as Age Scotland.