Received an unexpected message claiming to be from the Department for Work and Pensions? A DWP text message warning should be taken seriously, particularly when a text asks someone to follow a link, provide bank details or urgently apply for a government payment.
The threat is not theoretical. DWP reported that referrals involving scam messages claiming to come from government officials rose by 153% in the week beginning 29 September 2025, compared with 164 reports in the previous week.
The increase came as criminals targeted people ahead of Winter Fuel Payments.Scams continue to change their wording, payment amounts and deadlines.
This makes it increasingly important to understand what genuine government communication can look like, what warning signs to watch for and how suspicious messages should be checked during the 2026/27 winter season.
Why Is There a DWP Text Message Warning for 2026?
Fraudsters regularly impersonate government departments because messages involving benefits, pensions and household support can encourage recipients to act quickly.
Winter Fuel Payment scams have been particularly prominent. Criminals have posed as government officials and claimed recipients need to submit an application, correct information or provide banking details before an invented deadline.
The timing is significant because legitimate Winter Fuel Payments for winter 2026 to 2027 are approaching. Most eligible people are expected to receive their payment automatically in November or December 2026, with letters normally arriving beforehand.
Messages arriving around a genuine government payment can therefore appear more convincing.The scam-referral surge reported by DWP in October 2025 illustrates the scale of the problem.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said at the time that people should be cautious about messages asking them to apply for Winter Fuel Payment because most eligible recipients receive it automatically.
However, there is an important exception that scam warnings sometimes overlook.
Do You Ever Need to Apply for Winter Fuel Payment?
Yes, some people do.
It is inaccurate to say that nobody ever needs to claim Winter Fuel Payment.
For winter 2026 to 2027, most eligible people receive it automatically if they already receive certain benefits or qualifying payments, including State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Carer’s Allowance.
However, someone may need to make a claim if they do not receive one of the qualifying payments and either:
- Have Not Received Winter Fuel Payment Before
- Have Deferred Their State Pension Since Their Last Winter Fuel Payment
Postal claims for winter 2026 to 2027 opened in September 2026, while telephone claims are scheduled to open in October 2026. The final claim deadline is expected to fall in March 2027.
The crucial difference is that a legitimate need to claim does not make an unsolicited text containing an unfamiliar application link genuine.
Anyone who needs to claim should independently access the official service through GOV.UK rather than following a link sent in an unexpected message.
People should also be cautious about messages concerning repayment or recovery of Winter Fuel Payment.
Understanding how the Winter Fuel Payment clawback in 2026 works can help distinguish legitimate tax-related communication from suspicious demands for immediate payment.
What Do Real DWP Scam Texts Look Like?
Fraudulent texts frequently copy government-style language while creating an artificial deadline.
Reported examples have referred to payments using names such as:
- Winter Heating Allowance
- Winter Cold Weather Allowance
- Energy Allowance
- Home Energy Allowance
- Energy Support Programme
- Winter Fuel Allowance
One reported scam claimed recipients needed to submit an application for a £300 Winter Heating Allowance and instructed them to reply with the letter Y before reopening the message to activate a link.
Other messages have claimed that recipients were entitled to payments of £200 to £300 but needed to complete an application before a very short deadline.
The wording may change, but the underlying technique remains similar. The recipient is offered money, given little time to act and directed towards an unfamiliar website designed to collect personal or financial information.
How Have DWP Winter Payment Scams Evolved?
Government-payment scams frequently reappear under slightly different names.
A campaign may initially refer to a Winter Heating Allowance and later return as an Energy Support Programme or Cold Weather Allowance.
| Period | Reported Scam Theme | Typical Tactic |
| Winter 2024/25 | Winter payment and heating support | Fake payment websites asking for personal or card details |
| January 2025 | Winter Cold Weather Allowance | £300 payment and short application deadline |
| June 2025 | Energy Support Programme | £200 to £300 grant requiring an application |
| August to September 2025 | Winter Heating Allowance | Fake deadline and application link |
| Autumn 2025 | Winter Fuel Payment | Messages timed around genuine winter payments |
| 2026/27 Winter Season | Government energy and winter support | Recycled payment claims and phishing links |
This evolution matters because simply checking whether a message says Winter Fuel Payment may not be enough.
Fraudsters can change the supposed scheme name while keeping the same phishing method. Recipients should therefore focus on the behaviour of the message rather than the exact benefit name being used.
How Can You Tell Whether a DWP Text Is Fake?
No sender name or mobile number should be treated as proof that a message is genuine.
Warning signs include:
- An Unexpected Request For Bank Or Card Details
- A Link Leading To An Unfamiliar Website
- Pressure To Respond Immediately
- Threats That A Payment Will Be Lost
- A Supposed Benefit That Cannot Be Verified On GOV.UK
- Requests For Passwords, PINs Or Security Codes
- Claims That A Fee Must Be Paid To Receive Government Money
- Instructions To Reply To Activate A Link
A message should also be treated cautiously if it asks someone to move away from an established government channel.
Caller ID should not automatically be trusted either. DWP can use genuine telephone numbers, but scammers may imitate or spoof numbers shown on a phone screen.
For example, 0800 0232 635 is associated with legitimate Universal Credit outbound calls, but understanding the genuine DWP phone number and caller ID spoofing risk is useful before relying only on the number displayed.
Independent verification remains the safest approach.
Does DWP Send Genuine Text Messages?
Yes. DWP can send genuine text messages, so receiving a DWP-related SMS does not automatically mean someone is being targeted by a scam.
Legitimate messages may relate to:
- Appointments
- Benefit Claims
- Claim Updates
- Administrative Requests
- Reminders
- Government Support Information
The important question is what the message asks the recipient to do.
A request for sensitive financial information, an unexpected payment application or a suspicious website should trigger caution.
Instead of using the contact details or website contained in the message, the recipient should independently access GOV.UK or sign into an established account such as a Universal Credit journal.
This prevents scammers from controlling the route used to verify the message.
What Is the Difference Between 7726 and 60599?
The two reporting numbers serve different purposes and should not be confused.
| Reporting Route | When To Use It | Cost |
| 7726 | General suspicious or scam text messages | Free |
| 60599 | Suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC | Network rate may apply |
| phishing@hmrc.gov.uk | Suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC | Normal email |
| Report Fraud | Fraud or cybercrime involving loss or compromise | Reporting service |
Forwarding a suspicious text to 7726 reports it to a mobile provider and can help networks identify and investigate malicious senders.
The number 60599 has a different purpose. It is specifically used for suspicious messages claiming to come from HMRC and should not be treated as a general DWP verification service.
This distinction is particularly important because some scams move between DWP and HMRC themes depending on the payment being impersonated.
How Can You Check Whether an HMRC Text Is Genuine?
HMRC maintains official information explaining the types of text messages it may send and how suspicious communications should be reported.
HMRC may send genuine SMS messages relating to certain services, but recipients should remain cautious if a text unexpectedly requests sensitive personal or financial information.
This matters in situations involving Winter Fuel Payment recovery because HMRC can become involved when repayments are recovered through the tax system.
Someone receiving unexpected correspondence about repayment should therefore verify the situation independently rather than making a payment through a link sent by text.
Reading about the Winter Fuel Payment clawback in 2026 can also help clarify when HMRC may legitimately be involved and why genuine repayment processes should not be confused with phishing messages.
What Should You Do After Receiving a Suspicious DWP Text?
Anyone receiving a suspicious message should avoid reacting to the urgency created by the sender.
The safest response is:
- Do Not Click The Link: Avoid opening unfamiliar websites contained in the message.
- Do Not Reply: Replying can confirm that the mobile number is active.
- Do Not Provide Personal Information: Passwords, PINs, security codes and banking information should never be supplied simply because an unexpected text asks for them.
- Verify The Claim Independently: Visit GOV.UK directly or log into the appropriate official government account.
- Forward The Message To 7726: Suspicious texts can normally be forwarded free to 7726.
- Delete The Message After Reporting It: Once any necessary evidence has been kept, removing the message can reduce the risk of accidentally opening the link later.
People who receive a follow-up phone call should use the same approach. Even when the displayed number resembles a genuine government number, the DWP phone number and spoofing explanation shows why callers should still verify unexpected contact independently.
What If You Already Clicked the Scam Link?
Clicking a suspicious link does not automatically mean money or information has been stolen. The appropriate response depends on what happened afterwards. If no information was entered, close the webpage and avoid downloading files or applications.
If a password was submitted, change it immediately. Any other accounts using the same password should also be updated.
If banking or card information was entered, contact the relevant bank using the number printed on the back of the card, the bank’s official mobile application or another independently verified contact method.
Anyone who has lost money or had an account compromised should report the incident through the UK’s national fraud-reporting service.
Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud as the national service for reporting fraud and cybercrime in December 2025. Its telephone service continues to use 0300 123 2040.
People in Scotland may need to follow Police Scotland reporting arrangements.
Is There Help for Someone Worried About a Winter Fuel Scam?
Yes.
Older people who are concerned about a suspicious Winter Fuel Payment message can also seek independent advice.
Independent Age operates a free advice helpline on:
0800 319 6789
This can be particularly helpful when an older relative has received an unexpected message and is unsure whether the communication is genuine.
People should avoid calling telephone numbers supplied within suspicious messages themselves. Contact information should instead be found independently through a trusted website.
Is This DWP Text Real? A Quick Decision Check
Before responding to an unexpected message, work through the following checks.
Did You Expect The Message?
If not, verify it independently.
Does It Promise A New Payment Or Allowance?
Search GOV.UK separately to confirm that the scheme exists.
Does It Contain An Application Link?
Avoid using the link and locate the official government service separately.
Does It Ask For Bank Details, Passwords Or Security Codes?
Do not provide them.
Does It Create An Urgent Deadline?
Artificial urgency is a common phishing technique.
Does It Claim Everyone Must Apply For Winter Fuel Payment?
Be cautious. Most eligible recipients receive the payment automatically, although some people genuinely need to make an official claim.
Does A Follow-Up Call Appear To Come From DWP?
Do not rely solely on caller ID. Scammers can imitate legitimate numbers.
Are You Still Unsure?
Do not reply. Contact the relevant department through details obtained independently from GOV.UK.
Why Is Reporting DWP Scam Texts Important?
Forwarding suspicious texts to 7726 does more than remove one unwanted message.
Reports provide mobile networks with information about numbers and campaigns being used for spam and fraud. This information can help providers investigate suspicious activity and restrict malicious senders.
The 153% increase in scam referrals during a single week in September 2025 shows how quickly a campaign can expand when criminals identify a timely government payment to imitate.
Reporting suspicious communications can therefore help protect other potential victims.
The issue also matters to businesses. Employees using company-owned or personally managed work devices may receive the same phishing messages.
If a worker enters reused passwords or account credentials into a fraudulent website, what initially appears to be a personal benefits scam may create a wider cyber-security risk for an employer.
Businesses can reduce exposure through:
- Staff Phishing Awareness
- Multi-Factor Authentication
- Strong Password Policies
- Clear Incident Reporting Procedures
- Regular Security Updates
- Controlled Access To Business Accounts
How Can People Protect Themselves From Future DWP Text Scams?
Avoiding one suspicious text is useful, but developing consistent verification habits provides better long-term protection.
Recipients should:
- Access Government Services Directly Through GOV.UK
- Avoid Following Unexpected Payment Links
- Use Unique Passwords For Important Accounts
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication Where Available
- Keep Phones And Applications Updated
- Report Suspicious Messages Promptly
- Verify Unexpected Calls Independently
- Warn Vulnerable Relatives About Current Scam Patterns
People should also remember that scammers often exploit genuine news.
A real government payment, tax change or benefit announcement can quickly become the subject of fraudulent texts.
Understanding genuine changes, including how Winter Fuel Payment recovery works in 2026, can make it easier to recognise when a message does not match the official process.
Conclusion
A DWP text message warning should not mean assuming every government-related message is fraudulent. Instead, recipients should focus on what the communication asks them to do and verify unexpected requests independently.
Winter Fuel Payment scams can be particularly convincing because they imitate genuine government support and often appear when legitimate correspondence is expected.
Most eligible people receive Winter Fuel Payment automatically, although a smaller group may genuinely need to make a claim through official channels.
Suspicious general texts can be forwarded free to 7726, while 60599 is specifically associated with suspicious HMRC texts. Anyone who has disclosed financial information or lost money should contact their bank promptly and report the incident.
The strongest protection is simple: never allow an unexpected deadline, payment promise or official-looking sender name to replace independent verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DWP Send Text Messages About Benefits?
Yes. DWP can send genuine text messages relating to claims, appointments and administrative matters. However, recipients should independently verify unexpected messages that contain links or request sensitive information.
Should I Reply To A Suspicious DWP Text?
No. Avoid replying to a suspicious message. A response may confirm that the telephone number is active. Forward the message to 7726 instead.
What Number Do I Forward A DWP Scam Text To?
General suspicious text messages can usually be forwarded free to 7726. This allows the mobile network to investigate the sender.
Is 60599 A DWP Scam Reporting Number?
No. 60599 is associated specifically with suspicious messages claiming to come from HMRC. It should not be treated as the general reporting route for DWP scam texts.
Can DWP Ask For Bank Details By Text?
People should be extremely cautious about unexpected texts asking for banking information. Sensitive financial information should not be entered through unfamiliar links sent in unsolicited messages.
Do I Need To Apply For Winter Fuel Payment?
Most eligible people receive Winter Fuel Payment automatically. However, some people who are not already receiving qualifying payments or who have deferred their State Pension may need to make an official claim.
Can Scammers Fake A Genuine DWP Phone Number?
Yes. Caller ID can be spoofed. Even when a number appears legitimate, unexpected calls should be verified independently. Information about the confirmed DWP outbound number explains why the displayed number alone should not determine whether a call is trusted.
What Should I Do If I Gave My Bank Details To A Scammer?
Contact the bank immediately using an independently verified number, secure the affected accounts and report any financial loss or account compromise through the appropriate fraud-reporting service.
