Scam targeting the elderly

Got a ring on a Saturday evening from someone claiming to be DWP, asking for bank details to fix a missed payment on 12 June. I asked for details and they hung up, proper dodgy, mate.

A fraudster rang my mother‑in‑law pretending to refund an OVO overpayment and demanded her card details, but she was sharp and refused.

Our family firm got a ring two days ago, and my mother‑in‑law answered. She said it was about an overpayment to our electricity supplier and tried to hand the phone to me, but they hung up. Since we’re awaiting a refund, it could've been legit, yet the mobile number raised eyebrows because the supplier never calls on mobiles. Glad I checked before ringing them back! Cheers.

Someone pretended to be from DWP about a winter fuel grant, asked whether I’d received a February payment, then hung up when I said I’d check my account – I didn’t share any information.

My elderly mother‑in‑law was contacted by someone posing as DWP to arrange a winter fuel allowance, who then asked for her debit card number and date of birth. She supplied the details, later learning her card had been reported lost. The same number called again, pretending to be Halifax fraud, requesting further card information. Only after calling 1471 did she realise the calls were fraudulent, and several attempts were made to withdraw money from her accounts.