Winter benefit scam warning

Pensioners in Renfrewshire are being warned to be on high alert for scams as the recovery of Winter Fuel Payments begins this month.

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Almost two million people are expected to repay their winter 2025 payment due to their annual income being more than £35,000-for most, an automatic process.

HMRC saw more than 25,000 Winter Fuel Payment scam referrals over the last 12 months and is warning that scammers may now use the recovery process as a hook to use texts, emails and phone calls to target this group.