Scam messages claiming eligibility for grants are targeting vulnerable individuals as winter fuel payment confusion grows.
Fraudsters have seized on the uncertainty surrounding the Chancellor's recent announcement that the payments will be reinstated.
Victims have reported receiving messages directing them to fake websites designed to steal personal and financial information.
These messages, which claim to come from official government departments or trusted organisations, arrive via text, email or phone calls.
The government has issued warnings to the public, stating that no action is needed to receive the fuel payments, and there is no requirement to register with HMRC or provide personal details.
It is anticipated that these scam campaigns will increase, despite further clarification on eligibility thresholds.
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People are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to basic cybersecurity practices to safeguard themselves.
This includes ignoring unsolicited messages about winter fuel payments, enabling two-step verification on important accounts, creating strong passwords using three random words, keeping all devices updated with the latest security patches and backing up important data to a secure cloud service.
Damian Cranny, Dorset Police's fraud protect officer, said: "Scammers often target the elderly or those less familiar with digital technology. Please take the time to check in with family, friends and neighbours who may be more at risk.
"If you think you’ve been targeted, do not share personal or financial details in response to unexpected contact. Report the incident to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
"If you are concerned about a vulnerable individual, contact the police using 101."
Those who believe they have been scammed, and have lost money, are advised to call their bank immediately using 159, a direct line to their bank's fraud department.
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Damian Cranny also confirmed the legitimacy of Open Banking, which many reputable travel companies now use as a secure payment option.
This comes after confusion regarding payment methods in a previous community alert update on holiday booking scams.
However, he cautioned the public to be wary of requests for payment via traditional bank transfer, which can be difficult to trace and offer little protection if something goes wrong.
He said: "Be cautious if you are asked to pay by bank transfer, especially if the process does not involve secure authentication through your bank. Always double-check you are on the genuine website of a trusted company before making any payment, regardless of the method."
He also clarified the previous advice about the website "Have I Been Pwned," which allows people to check if their email addresses have appeared in known data breaches.
If an email is flagged, it means the details may have been compromised in the past, and the user should change passwords on any accounts using that email, especially if passwords have been reused.
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He added: "Remember, if you are a victim of fraud, contact Action Fraud on their website or free phone 0300 123 2040.
"If you have lost money from fraud, contact your bank on 159.
"Visit Get Safe Online for useful helps and tips."
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