Winter Fuel Payments paid in winter 2025 will be recovered from pensioners with income above £35,000
Check if your payment will be reclaimed at GOV.UK – you don’t need to contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
Scammers may try to trick customers into handing money over
Pensioners are being warned to be on high alert for scams as the recovery of Winter Fuel Payments begins this month.
Almost two million people are expected to repay their winter 2025 payment due to their annual income being more than £35,000 – for most, an automatic process.
HMRC saw more than 25,000 Winter Fuel Payment scam referrals over the last 12 months and is warning that scammers may now use the recovery process as a hook to use texts, emails and phone calls to target this group.
For most, the payment will be recovered through a change to their PAYE tax code from this month (April 2026) with no need to contact HMRC.
For those in Self Assessment who file online, the payment should be pre-populated in their 2025 to 2026 tax return, due by 31 January 2027. Customers should check and add it manually if it is not shown.
Paper filers will need to add it on their tax return, due by 31 October 2026.
This applies across the UK – including in Scotland, where the payment is known as the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment and in Northern Ireland, where payments were made by the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive. In all cases, recovery is handled by HMRC.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: ““Criminals are great pretenders and often use fake letters, emails, calls and texts to impersonate HMRC and trick people into giving them money.
“I’d encourage anyone who’s unsure to use our online tool at GOV.UK to check whether and how their payment will be recovered – there’s no need to call us”
HMRC will never contact people by text or email to ask them to repay their Winter Fuel Payment, or to request bank details.
More than 4,800 Self Assessment scams have been reported to HMRC.
In the last 10 months, HMRC received more than 135,500 reports of suspected scams.
HMRC urges people to stay alert to potential scams ahead of the Self Assessment deadline.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning after more than 4,800 Self Assessment scams have been reported since February 2025.
Scammers use persuasive and threatening tactics to target people when they are more likely to receive correspondence from HMRC. They send fake tax demands or attempt to pressurise people to hand over personal information.
In the last 10 months, customers have reported more than 135,500 HMRC-related scams, including 29,000 scams referring to fake tax refund claims.
HMRC is reminding customers to be vigilant as the Self Assessment deadline nears and check whether the email, SMS message or phone call claiming to be from HMRC is genuine on GOV.UK.
The Self Assessment deadline to file returns and pay any tax owed for the 2024 to 2025 tax year is 31 January 2026. Customers can file online on GOV.UK.
Lucy Pike, HMRC’s Chief Security Officer, said:“Millions of people file a tax return each year and scammers mimic HMRC to try and catch unsuspecting victims out.
“I’m urging people to stay vigilant and if any emails, text messages or phone calls appear suspicious – don’t be lured into clicking on links or sharing your personal information – report it directly to HMRC. Just search ‘report an HMRC scam’ on GOV.UK to find out more.”
HMRC has taken swift action to close down nearly 25,000 fake websites and phone numbers in the last 10 months. HMRC will never:
leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest
ask for personal or financial information via text message or email
contact customers by email, text, or phone to inform them about a refund or ask them to claim one
Anyone who receives suspicious communication from HMRC can forward emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, SMS messages to 60599 or report phone calls mimicking HMRC on GOV.UK. Find out more about how to report scam activity to HMRC on GOV.UK.
We’re urging people to be aware of scam text messages as most winter heating payments will be paid to people automatically. We’ll never ask for personal or financial details by text or email or ask people to reply by text or email.
Our winter heating payments helped over half a million families warm their homes last year.
Winter Heating Payment, Child Winter Heating Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment are automatic payments for almost everyone who is eligible and most people do not need to apply for these benefits.
Scam text messages are from criminals often pretending to be Social Security Scotland or another Government department. They tell people they are missing out on financial help and ask them to click a link to update their details or to apply for benefits.
We will never ask for personal or financial details by text or email or ask people to reply by text or email.
Information about our benefits is available on official channels, such as its website and social media accounts. People can also phone our helpline if they have questions.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said:“As we approach the winter months, Social Security Scotland will be giving valuable payments to thousands of people automatically to help them stay warm during colder weather.
“It is important that people remain alert to scam text messages and e-mails. Social Security Scotland will never ask people for personal or financial details by text or e-mail.
“If anyone is unsure if they are eligible or are worried they will not receive a payment they are eligible for, please get in touch with Social Security Scotland directly.”
Tips to identify scam messages:
be suspicious of messages asking you to send money or share personal information such as passwords or bank details
scammers try to create panic by setting a time limit or saying something frightening
stop and think before giving out information
don’t follow links in suspicious emails or download files
check phone numbers and email addresses on the official websites
use ‘contact us’ sections to access information and services
If you think you have been the victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately.
Report fraud to Police Scotland by calling 101.
Social Security Scotland offers free assistance to people making applications for benefits. More details can be found here: mygov.scot/benefits-support
POLICE have received reports of rogue traders operating in Edinburgh recently. Be on guard if someone attends at your door offering to carry out work or offering services. Don’t be afraid to say ‘No Thank You’.
Rogue traders usually cold-call, claiming to be workers offering to sell services, make repairs or carry out work on your house, garden or driveway. In reality they charge inflated prices for shoddy or unnecessary work.
We DO NOT recommend dealing with cold-callers for property maintenance and home repairs
If someone calls on you:
•Don’t feel pressurised into agreeing to immediate work or buying a product or service.
•Don’t agree to buy from the first person who calls.
•Don’t pay cash up front or offer to go and get money.
•Shop around if you decide you need work done.
•Ask what your cancellation rights are.
•Report them.
If you think work needs done get at least three quotes from trusted companies. Use The Edinburgh Trusted Trader Scheme to find tradespeople who have been checked and vetted by both Police and Trading Standards officers:
If you think a rogue trader or bogus caller has called on you, or been in your street, report this to the police immediately on 101 or in the case of an emergency, dial 999.
If you would rather remain anonymous, you can report any incidents to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please share this advice with family, friends or neighbours who may be vulnerable.
The Eric Liddell community day care service in Edinburgh recently held a scam awareness session for their clients living with dementia and their care partners.
They decided to organise this session due to some clients being duped by fraudsters going door-to-door and online. The session was organised by day care manager, Caroline Heenan and was run by PC Stuart Fraser from the Community Policing Team at St Leonards Police Station.
Peta Randall, day care officer, said: “It was very interesting and makes you think how prepared fraudsters are”.
Carmel Riley, admin assistant, added: “I feel more equipped to deal with the nuisance calls I get.”
Christine, 82, said: “My husband gave money to a gardener but he made a mess and never came back.”
Beverley, 73, added: “I was scammed online, but I now understand how it can happen”.
Caroline, day care manager, said: “For others who are thinking about holding a session, I’d say go for it!
“Police Scotland are more than happy to facilitate these sessions.”
Motorists across the UK are being urged to stay vigilant as “crash-for-cash” scams continue to rise – with fraudsters deliberately causing rear-end collisions to cash in on bogus insurance claims.
According to the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), over 170,000 claims linked to suspected crash-for-cash incidents have been made in recent years – costing the UK industry hundreds of millions and pushing up premiums for honest drivers.
Legal expert Adam Jones from HD Claims warns that these staged accidents are often designed to make innocent drivers look responsible, particularly by slamming on brakes in congested traffic or at roundabouts.
“Many of these scams are carefully choreographed to leave you thinking you were at fault,” says Jones. “You may feel you were too close or distracted, but in reality, the collision was intentional. It’s financial exploitation – and in some cases, extremely dangerous.”
Telltale signs you’re being set up for a rear-end scam:
The other car’s brake lights are faulty or deliberately disabled
The driver is erratic, braking sharply or hesitating at junctions
The car is full of passengers – who all later claim whiplash
The other driver tries to talk you out of calling the police
They provide pre-written insurance details or urge you to use their “preferred” repair garage.
Other roadside scams to watch out for in 2025:
False damage claims: Fraudsters may claim you scraped their car in a car park, showing fake dents or photos from a previous incident.
Staged pedestrian accidents: A person may jump in front of your slow-moving car to fake injury.
Vehicle obstruction thefts: Drivers are blocked in by a second car while someone tries to steal valuables from the passenger side.
Fake breakdown helpers: In remote areas, con artists may offer help then demand cash or card payment on the spot.
What to do if you suspect a scam:
Stay calm and don’t admit fault at the scene
Photograph everything – car positions, damage, number plates, road signs, passengers
Call the police if anything feels suspicious
Never accept cash offers or sign anything without checking it first
Report it to your insurer and the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) Cheatline
“Crash-for-cash fraud doesn’t just cost drivers money – it can cause injury, anxiety, and serious legal consequences,” Adam Jones adds.
“If something feels off, document everything and get legal advice immediately.”
CONSUMER EXPERT OFFERS TOP TIPS FOR THAT GREAT VALUE SUMMER GETAWAY
Many of us will be looking to grab a late holiday deal over the coming weeks. But according to a leading travel expert and consumer guru we must be on the lookout for scams and it is worth remembering that if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
“In the UK we have seen a surge in scams, particularly on social media platforms and online marketplaces with UK residents losing a staggering £11.4 billion to scams in the last 12 months.
“Whether it’s holiday phishing scams or booking with a provider who is not a regulated travel agency or registered company, it’s not worth the risk when you can get great deals through reputable companies.
“There are lots of ways to get a great deal on a getaway particularly if you are prepared to be flexible and avoid holiday hotspots.
“Most of us want good weather, a clean beach and somewhere nice to eat in the evening. You don’t need to travel to expensive places like Santorini or Capri to get those.”
“Never skimp on travel insurance. We don’t know what’s around the corner. It’s simply not worth saving a few pounds not getting travel insurance when you can shop around for a great deal which will cover you should something happen.”
Here are my top tips to consumers looking for that great deal are:
1. Watch out for scams: if it’s too good to be true it usually is!
There are lots of holiday scams to watch out for including:
Holiday phishing scams which are used to gain control of financial details. Scammers can cleverly mimic emails and correspondence and make them look authentic. Equally, links to make bookings are very convincing and AI can generate really realistic photos and wording that can catch out the savviest of consumers.
Use a reverse-image search to check authenticity of images of resorts and accommodation and identify source of any images as scammers can easily create a fake ad to draw you in.
2. Don’t pay by bank transfer
Be wary of websites which don’t work properly or have sections missing or try to force you to make time pressured decisions. You should refuse any requests to move communication away on a site such as AirBnb to Whatsapp or other means.
NEVER action a bank transfer or provide your bank details in response to one of these ads. But always use a credit card. If the offer is legitimate you will then benefit from the section 75 cover for payments. Don’t agree to Paypal transfers especially if the transfer is made as ‘Paypal Friends and Family’ as this reduces the protection Paypal can offer.
3. Book a package holiday
Avoid DIY by booking flights and accommodation separately. Book a package holiday with a trusted travel agent (preferably one you can actually pick up the phone and speak to) for the most consumer protection under the Package and Linked Travel Arrangements 2018. Online Travel agents may offer the widest range of deals but they don’t offer the same personalised service and it can be a lot harder to get in touch when you need to.
Package holidays provide the most financial protection in the event of delays, cancellations or if your travel company goes bust. If you’ve booked a package which includes a flight, then you will also benefit from ATOL protection. With package holidays, travel companies are responsible for ensuring you get the holiday you have been promised and have paid for.
It’s worth taking a look at package holiday deals just to see if they work out cheaper than the cost of a flight on its own. There’s no obligation to stay in the hotel or use any associated car hire and transfers if you have alternate plans.
4. Do your homework before booking
Check the reviews not just of the accommodation but also the travel provider and check to see if a range of contact details are available – not just online chat. If it’s hard to get through to a company to discuss general queries, it could create a lot more stress and hassle if things go wrong and you need to make contact urgently.
I have lots of ways to get through to companies quickly and easily over on the blog including how to cheat chatbots and get through to a real person https://ladyjaney.co.uk/category/how-to-contact/
5. Be flexible
If you want to save money, flexibility is key in everything from destination, activities, accommodation and transport to the insurance and booking policies of the providers you choose.
Opting for alternate destinations can be a real money saver. For example, choosing Bulgaria rather than that instagrammable Greek Island can save you hundreds of pounds. Parts of Croatia are inexpensive but every bit as appealing as the Greek islands or the Balearics.
You should always take out travel insurance but shop around as the average cost of cover taken out via a comparison site can be 40 to 50% lower than if bought direct from an insurer.
Some multi cover policies include travel insurance cover. You can reduce the cost of the policy by increasing the excess, purchasing single trip insurance or family cover. Ensure you have a valid GHIC (formerly EHIC) card for travel within the EU.
7. Clear your online cookies
If you’ve been looking at flights and hotels for a while clear your browser cookies before booking. This means that websites don’t hike up prices simply because they can see you’ve visited before and are looking to book. You could also use incognito or private browsing.
8. Check out all-inclusive offers
If you don’t mind eating primarily in the hotel it’s worth looking to see if you can save by going all-inclusive on holiday, factoring in local costs and exchange rates. All-inclusive deals generally include all meals, snacks and drinks (although not always alcoholic ones) and often airport transfers too. These costs can quickly add up, especially when it’s a family trip.
9. Travel for less with air miles and points
You can collect points and air miles using credit cards, supermarket loyalty schemes or retail portals to travel for less. Points can be accrued not just through travel but through your everyday shopping too!
You can also sign up also to loyalty programmes for your preferred hotels and airlines to benefit from any discounts and offers as a member,
10. Book timely
Travel companies reduce their rates about 8-10 weeks before departure so instead of leaving it last minute, aim to book within this window.
However, booking early can mean you get more choice and better prices. The best deals, especially during school holidays, tend to be snapped up quickly.
For flights, the first quarter of the year is often the best time to book with many companies offering sales in January. Also, avoid flying out on Fridays (the most popular day) and try unusual trip lengths (not seven or 14 days) to find the best value prices.
Survey findings show only one in five people have heard of paid-ad spoofing scams.
The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) is currently investigating 140 claims linked to paid-ad spoofing activity collectively worth £1.82 million (£13K per claim).
Amy, 25 from Liverpool, shares her experience of being targeted.
IFB has launched a national campaign to help people spot the signs of the scam and report it to CheatLine.
The public must be vigilant when searching for their insurer online, warns the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), as it’s revealed that victims of paid-ad spoofing scams could be facing up to £13,000 in unsolicited fees.
Paid-ad spoofing scams involve unscrupulous firms paying for search engine ads that mimic those of genuine insurers. The victim, who needs to contact their insurer to make a claim, can unwittingly contact a third party while believing they’re dealing with their insurer, only to rack up thousands of pounds in fees which otherwise could have been covered by their policy.
Recent YouGov findings show only one in five people (18%) have heard of paid-ad spoofing scams and with millions using insurance services every day, countless consumers are at risk.[1] As a result, the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) has launched a national campaign to highlight the signs of the scam and to encourage people to report it to CheatLine.
Jon Radford, Head of Intelligence, Investigations & Data Services at the IFB, said: “Paid-ad spoofing is a malicious and calculated practice which can have a devastating impact on victims.
“Unscrupulous firms will deliberately pay for search engine ad results that misrepresent genuine insurers. Having just experienced a road traffic collision, their victims are often in a shaken state, and when they call who they think is their insurer for support they end up trapping themselves in legal agreements that may cost them everything.
“We’re working with insurers and the police to raise awareness and the message is simple – save your insurer’s contact details so you have it to hand if needed and report any signs of paid-ad spoofing scams to our confidential CheatLine.”
It can happen to anyone
Amy, a 25-year-old Camera Assistant from Liverpool, was returning home after visiting friends in early 2024. While driving along a dual carriageway at 50mph, a driver cut in front of her and caused a collision. She knew she had to contact her insurer as soon as she got home. Still shaken, she searched for her insurer on her phone’s browser and called a number on a sponsored ad and provided her details, while being completely unaware it was a third party.
The man on the other end of the phone had been helpful, however Amy thought it was unusual that he hadn’t asked for her policy number. When she told her father, Carl, who is coincidently a counter-fraud Manager at Aviva, he realised she’d been targeted by a paid-ad spoofing scam. Together, they made a series of exhausting phone calls over several hours, to finally withdraw from financial arrangements so Amy wouldn’t face unsolicited charges.
Amy commented on the experience: “I’d never think that I’d be the type of person to be scammed from something like this, but these people are very good at what they do and they’ll get you when you don’t think you’re in a position to be caught, so it’s important to be careful and check everything when searching for your insurer.”
Pete Ward, Head of Claims Counter Fraud at Aviva, said: “The scourge of misleading online ads is an issue that affects all motorists and insurers. At Aviva, we believe prevention is better than cure, which is why we are working with the IFB to highlight the serious financial implications of paid-ad spoofing. We suggest that drivers save their insurer’s claims number in their phones or keep it handy in their vehicles.
“When customers mistakenly respond to misleading online ads, we take immediate action to identify and investigate, sharing intelligence with the IFB and relevant regulators. Our proactive monitoring of ads that breach Google’s terms has led to successful takedowns of misleading ads and associated web domains.
“We’ve seen too many instances where customers contact us about a claim, only to find they never made a claim with Aviva. Imagine the concern when customers realize they don’t know who they are dealing with, what they have agreed to, or the implications of these agreements.
“This confusion puts customers at risk of extreme financial harm: they enter agreements for services like recovery, storage, repair, and hire, believing these costs are covered by their insurance. However, if these costs aren’t recovered from the other party’s insurer, the customer may be liable.
“There should be no situation where a customer is misled about the identity of the company they are dealing with or the financial implications of the agreements they have signed.”
How do paid-ad spoofing scams work?
A paid-ad spoofing scam is when a claims firm pays for a search engine ad result which shows up when someone is looking for their insurer. The ads are similar in style to that of a genuine insurer’s and are more likely to appear in mobile phone searches, to encourage people to call through quickly.
Over the phone, the firm may use general terminology to sound like the insurer or to imply that they are affiliated with them. The victim is asked for their personal details to receive ‘support services’ such as a replacement vehicle, and potentially make a claim, which can result in unsolicited third-party agreements.
While any insurance customer can fall victim, those who have been in a road traffic collision are most at risk as they may be shaken after an accident and not thinking as clearly when looking to make a claim. Victims may also believe their fully-comp motor insurance covers everything, but as they don’t know they’re not talking to their insurer, they can sign up to more and more services and it may be weeks until they discover the charges.
Who pays these fees varies. If the other driver is at fault, the firm will claim against their insurer to recover the costs of its unsolicited services. In these cases, the affected individual may not realise they have been linked to a scam. Or, if the other insurer doesn’t believe all the charges as justified, then the victim of the paid-ad spoofing scam may still face some costs.
However, if the other driver is not at fault of the collision, the onus is entirely placed on the person who was mislead into contacting the claims firm for support, to cover all costs that otherwise could have been included with their insurance policy. These fees can run into tens of thousands of pounds and can result in non-stop threatening calls to the victim from third-party firms. In one case, a victim was even pursued to cover over £50,000 in unsolicited fees.
Not only can victims suffer a financial loss, but there is also evidence some firms linked to paid-ad spoofing activity have stolen personal information to use in further fraudulent activity.
The IFB is currently investigating 140 claims linked to paid-ad spoofing worth over £1.8 million in suspected fraud, however it’s believed these figures only scratch the surface as many people are unaware they’ve been targeted.[2]
Top tips to avoid paid-ad spoofing scams
Keep your insurer’s contact details written down or saved on your phone.
Download your insurer’s app as this usually has customer service support functionality.
If searching for your insurer online, go on the insurer’s website to obtain contact details.
If viewing a sponsored ad result, check the URL and phone number to ensure it’s legitimate, before sharing any personal information and agreeing to claims services.
If anyone has concerns relating to paid-ad spoofing scams, they should tell their insurer and contact the IFB’s confidential CheatLine online or via 0800 422 0421.
Type don’t tap!
Stop: Take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information. It could keep you safe.
Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve been scammed and report it to Action Fraud.
