Warning issued by government over winter heating scams

The government has urged people to be wary of scams pretending to offer support with energy bills this winter as scammers seek to take advantage of vulnerable individuals.

This year millions of households will benefit from the Warm Home Sale, offering £150 off their energy bills. Labour’s decision to change eligibility for the scheme means six million people will receive payments this year, an increase of 2.7 million.

The change introduced a new rule that means the person paying the bill must now only receive an appropriate means-tested benefit; However, they also had to prove that they had previously lived in a house with high energy costs.

But the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has warned that fraudsters are now trying to exploit the scheme by pretending to be government officials and asking for bank details.

The department said £150 would automatically be deducted from energy bills for the majority of buyers.

Some households may need to provide extra information to benefit from the discount and will be sent a letter advising them to call the helpline provided.

Most payments must be made in January or February, and March 31 is the deadline for energy companies to apply those payments to eligible accounts.

To qualify for payment in England and Wales, the bill payer must receive either the guarantee credit element of the pension credit or one of the following:

The warning comes as millions of people in the UK are struggling with heating costs as energy bills remain stubbornly high. Energy debts have more than doubled in the last five years, reaching £4.4bn at the end of June, as the cost of other essential goods continues to rise.

To tackle rising costs, Labor has pledged to cut energy bills by £150 next year by cutting certain taxes passed on to consumers, and all energy providers are expected to join.

Energy Consumers Minister Martin McCluskey said: “We know how difficult the festive season can be for those struggling with their bills. Nearly 6 million households will benefit from a £150 reduction on their energy bills this winter, with help just around the corner for many.”

“But scammers are also aware of the pressures families face. Don’t let scammers steal Christmas and make sure you know how to spot Warm Home Sale scams. If you qualify for the £150 discount, the government will not text or call you – instead we will send you an official letter.

“Don’t get caught; if it seems too good to be true, check the letter too.”