Shropshire Star

Police warn of scam text as callous crooks focus on energy crisis

West Mercia Police is warning residents to think twice if they receive a fraudulent text claiming to offer energy bill support from the UK Government.

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The offending text message.

Fraudsters, pretending to be from the government, are taking advantage of rising energy prices.

The text messages tell recipients that they are eligible to apply for a discounted energy bill as part of the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

But the texts are a scam, and police are asking those who receive the messages report them.

Suspicious text messages can be forwarded to 7726, for free.

The £400 support does not need to be applied for, and will be paid automatically.

The £400 energy rebate scheme, initially announced in February as a £200 payment, will see households with a domestic electricity account receive a non-repayable grant of £400 between October and March.

The grant will be paid in instalments of £66 in October and November and £67 from December to March.

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

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