Staying safe from winter heating scams

Our winter heating payments helped over half a million children and families across Scotland enjoy warmer homes last winter.

With the winter months approaching, there have been reports in the media of scam text messages being sent to people in Scotland asking them to apply for our winter heating payments.

Winter Heating Payment is paid automatically to people who get certain low-income benefits, including households with young children, disabled people or older people. People do not need to apply for these benefits.

This winter Social Security Scotland will also be paying Pension Age Winter Heating Payment to hundreds of thousands of eligible pensioners across Scotland.

To help raise awareness of these scams, our Chief Executive, David Wallace, took part in an interview with BBC News.

In his interview, David said:

“For the vast majority of people in Scotland, winter heating payments will be automatic and we will never ask people to share personal or financial information through text message.”

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.

Find out more about staying safe from scams.

We offer free assistance to support people making applications for benefits. Find out more at mygov.scot/benefits-support