As discussed recently in the Express, campaigners have warned that the Government’s new means-tested winter fuel payment system could increase the risk of scams targeting older people. The change follows more than 25,000 fraud referrals in the past year.
Under the revised policy, all pensioner households received up to £300 last winter, but around two million people with incomes above £35,000 will now have the payment recovered, mainly through the tax system. Critics say the complexity of the process is likely to cause confusion and anxiety.
Later Life Ambitions spokesperson Alan Lees said: “This is becoming a never-ending headache for older people. Instead of clarity, we’ve got a situation where people are once again being asked to get to grips with something new. This time, it’s the prospect of paying money back through the tax system. That kind of uncertainty is exactly what scammers look for. If people don’t feel confident about what’s happening, they’re far more likely to be targeted and caught out.”
Concerns are particularly high for those less confident online, as much of the guidance relies on digital access. HM Revenue and Customs has urged pensioners to stay alert, noting that most repayments will be handled automatically through tax codes, and warning that scammers may exploit the situation using fake communications.
