More than nine million people will receive the second means-tested cost of living payment of £324 this month. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is making payments to those on qualifying benefits between now and November 23 while HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will deliver payments between November 23 and 30.
While the one-off payment will be welcomed by millions of households, Advice Direct Scotland is warning people to be vigilant, especially if you do not receive the payment in the first few days. Payments from both DWP and HMRC are automatic, nobody needs to apply, so if someone contacts you by phone call, text message or email telling you otherwise - it’s a scam.
Advice Direct Scotland is urging people not to engage in any way as it could leave them susceptible to online criminals trying to harvest their personal or financial details.
It is encouraging people to report any suspected scams to its scamwatch service which can then be passed on to the relevant authorities.
Conor Forbes, director of policy with Advice Direct Scotland, said: “Hundreds of thousands of Scots households will start receiving the cost of living support payment, and it’s vital to remember that this will happen automatically - there is no application form to fill out for the money.
“Sadly, we know that scammers have repeatedly tried to capitalise on the cost of living crisis, so people should be alert to emails and texts asking for personal information in relation to the payments - the DWP will not do this."
Anyone who is caught out by a scam, or spots a suspected scam, should report it by using the Advice Direct Scotland free scamwatch tool at www.consumeradvice.scot.
To keep up to date with the latest cost of living news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out four times each week - sign up here.
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