Scam warning over DWP fee to pensioners – two million in danger | Politics | News | EUROtoday

A brand new winter gas fee means-testing scheme is a scammer’s dream come true, campaigners have warned. Chancellor Rachel Reeves launched the advanced system after she was compelled to scrap her authentic plan to take away winter gas funds from 10 million pensioners. Under the brand new system, the DWP despatched funds of as much as £300 to all pensioner households final winter – however the Government will now take the cash again from two million folks with incomes above £35,000.

It means confusion and nervousness for older people who find themselves already almost certainly to be focused by scammers, in line with marketing campaign group Later Life Ambitions. Spokesperson Alan Lees mentioned: “This is becoming a never-ending headache for older people. Instead of clarity, we’ve got a situation where people are once again being asked to get to grips with something new.”

He added: “This time, it’s the prospect of paying money back through the tax system. That kind of uncertainty is exactly what scammers look for. If people don’t feel confident about what’s happening, they’re far more likely to be targeted and caught out.”

People who are usually not assured utilizing computer systems or the web are notably in danger, he mentioned. “Much of the HMRC guidance relies on people going online to check what they owe or how the system works, but not everyone is able to do that easily.

“That leaves some older people at a disadvantage, increasing the risk of confusion and, in the worst cases, leaving them more exposed to fraud.”

The warning comes as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has urged pensioners to remain alert to scams linked to the recovery process, following more than 25,000 fraud referrals over the past year.

For most people, the payment will be recovered through a change in their tax code now that the new financial year has begun, meaning they do not need to take any action. The payment should also be added automatically to forms used by people who pay tax through self-assessment – but they are being told to check the document and add it manually if need be.

Myrtle Lloyd, Chief Customer Officer at HM Revenue and Customs, mentioned: “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.”

Labour’s initial plans to scrap winter fuel payments for all but the very poorest pensioners was abandoned after an Express campaign and outcry from charities and MPs.

Campaigners Independent Age warn that six out of ten people aged over 65 have been the target of fraud or a scam.

On common, older individuals who have been scammed have misplaced practically £4,000 every, a survey by Independent Age discovered. It warned that 31% of victims skilled damaging impacts on their psychological well being.