Scam alert in a warning symbol above a phone in a hand
The DWP has warned that scam callers have asked for the bank details of residents in other parts of the country

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is asking councils to alert residents to the risk of potential scams, concerning applications to the Household Support Fund.

Household support funding is made available from the DWP and is available until Monday 30 September 2024 to help households on low incomes to pay for food, utilities, and other wider essentials.

Residents apply for funding through their local district council, but the DWP has written to councils to alert them to the risk of scammers taking advantage of the situation. The DWP say that residents elsewhere in the country have been telephoned and told that they are eligible for the Household Support Fund, with the caller saying that they are from their local council. The caller asks for the resident’s bank details so that the money can be transferred to their account.

Councils in Devon have already written to households who have been allocated an award, giving details of how they can claim their Household Support Fund payment.

Councillor Paul Arnott, East Devon District Council's (EDDC) Leader, said:

“Unfortunately, residents across the country are being targeted by scammers. Be wary about sharing any personal or payment details over the phone. If you are ever in doubt about whether someone calling you is really from the council, please end the call. Make sure you are speaking with EDDC's customer services team by phoning the switchboard number, 01404 515 616.”

EDDC have sent letters to all households who have been allocated a payment. Our officers are making follow up calls to those who have not already submitted their application and will support residents to complete the form online. Letters sent included a unique access code to allow residents to claim their payment online.

If our officers need to call you to help complete your application, they will confirm this access code first. If you are still unsure that the person calling you is from EDDC, you can call us back via our switchboard and ask to be transferred to the benefits team. If you are applying for help from the Household Support Fund and you have not received a letter, any awards made will be via voucher or payment made direct to suppliers. If we are helping you complete one of these applications, we will not ask for your bank details over the phone.

If you think that you may have been scammed, you can report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040. For advice, contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133. If you give your bank details to a scammer alert your bank immediately.