Fake Winter Fuel Payment texts: the payment is automatic, and DWP never texts for bank details

What the headlines are about

Several outlets this week have warned pensioners about fake texts that mention the Winter Fuel Payment and ask for bank details. The timing fits the real payment: GOV.UK says most eligible people “will be paid in November or December 2026”, so a message saying your payment is waiting can look plausible right now.

This isn't new. In October 2025 DWP warned that scam texts about the payment had risen sharply, and in April 2026 HMRC said it “saw more than 25,000 Winter Fuel Payment scam referrals over the last 12 months”. No official figure for this winter has been published.

How the real payment reaches you

GOV.UK's Winter Fuel Payment guide says: “Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible.” You don't need to claim if you get the State Pension or one of the other benefits it lists, such as Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance.

If you're eligible, you'll get a letter telling you how much you'll get and which bank account it goes into, which GOV.UK says is “usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits”. The amount is between £100 and £300 for winter 2026/27; our Winter Fuel Payment guide sets out who gets what, and the £35,000 income catch.

A smaller group does need to claim: people who don't get the State Pension or a listed benefit and either haven't had the payment before or have deferred their State Pension since their last one. They claim through the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, by phone on 0800 731 0160 or by post, by 31 March 2027. GOV.UK lists those two ways to claim: post and phone.

What DWP and HMRC say they will never do

DWP's October 2025 warning is plain: “Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, and the government will never ask for bank details by text.” The Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, said then: “If you get a text message about Winter Fuel Payments, it’s a scam.”

HMRC, which takes the payment back from people whose income is over £35,000, said in April 2026 that it “will never contact people by text or email to ask them to repay their Winter Fuel Payment, or to request bank details.” So a text asking you to pay it back, or to confirm an account so you can be paid, fits neither route.

GOV.UK's own guide puts it more broadly: “If you get a message asking for your personal details (for example, bank details or passwords) this could be a scam.”

How to check a message

Three questions, all drawn from those pages. Is it asking for bank details or a password? Is it asking you to apply or claim, when you already get the State Pension? Is it sending you to a link? GOV.UK's reporting page says not to give out bank details, reply or click on links if you're not sure a message is genuine.

If you want to be sure about your own payment, don't use any number or link in the message. Look up the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on GOV.UK yourself: 0800 731 0160, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. GOV.UK's date to chase is 27 January 2027: “If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 27 January 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.” An empty account in mid-November isn't by itself a sign anything is wrong.

If an older relative might get one of these texts, it's worth a two-minute chat now. A family safe word helps with scam calls too.

Where to report a scam text

GOV.UK's reporting page says: “Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 - it’s free.” The National Cyber Security Centre says your provider can then investigate the text and block or ban the sender if it's found to be malicious. Texts claiming to be from HMRC can also be forwarded to 60599.

If money has been taken, HMRC's advice is: “contact your bank immediately and notify Report Fraud. In Scotland, contact police on 101.” The NCSC gives Report Fraud's details as reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040, in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. If you've given your bank details but nothing has gone yet, the NCSC's advice is simpler: “Contact your bank and let them know.” Our guide to what to do if you've been scammed goes through the first hour step by step.

In Scotland

GOV.UK says people in Scotland can't get a Winter Fuel Payment; they may get the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from Social Security Scotland instead. Social Security Scotland said in October 2025 that it is automatic “for almost everyone who is eligible”, and: “We will never ask for personal or financial details by text or email or ask people to reply by text or email.”