Uc/ESA/DLA/PIP Support & Advice

11/02/2025

Latest Scam Updates

- Scammers have continued to defraud the "elderly and vulnerable" by posing as police, senior officers have said.Suffolk Police has received at least seven reports of residents being called by fraudsters pretending to be officers from the force between 28-29 January.The victims were told of fraudulent activity on their bank accounts and then reassured to withdraw cash to hand over to a courier - something the police said they would never ask someone to do. BE AWARE BE CAREFUL

- Criminals impersonating BT are exploiting upcoming changes to the landline phone network to manipulate customers into giving them their payment details.Victims have reported cold calls, claiming to be from BT, stating that they need to confirm their personal and payment information so their landline can go digital before a January 2025 deadline. BE AWARE BE CAREFUL

- Phishing emails are attempts by criminals to manipulate you into giving out your personal details. This can include your passwords, credit card numbers and/or bank account numbers.You might have received an email claiming to be from a bank or someone claiming to have an urgent unpaid invoice. Other scams may look as though they come from one of your social networks. Here are some of the signs that an email might not be genuine. BE AWARE BE CAREFUL

- Police are reminding people to be wary of romance scams this February as we approach Valentine's Day. Romance scams involve often vulnerable people being coerced into sending money by people posing as trustworthy individuals.The criminals will often go to great lengths to build a relationship with the person they are manipulating, taking their time to build their trust and confidence. Often, these criminals operate online and create extensive narratives to justify victims sending them thousands of pounds. BE AWARE BE CAREFUL

7 signs to look out for with romance scams:

1. Too good to be true
2. Fast intimacy
3. Evasive about meeting in person
4. Vagueness or inconsistent details
5. They have no social media or the information doesn’t match
6. Poor grammar and spelling
7. Requests for money

- Safer Internet Day is marked every year in the UK, and it's all about staying safe online.It's taking place on Tuesday 11th February 2025 and is run by the UK Safer Internet Centre, who work with young people to provide tips about how to stay safe online. What are online scams, and how can you protect yourself from them? BE AWARE BE CAREFUL

- Action Fraud has reported a significant increase in fraudulent messages pretending to be from government agencies such as HMRC.These emails encourage recipients to make a claim via a link, which directs them to phishing websites designed to steal personal and financial information. Becoming a victim to these scams could result in identity theft or financial loss. BE AWARE BE CAREFUL

09/01/2025

BENEFIT CHANGES INFORMATION FOR 2025

Read the Turn2us Timetable of Benefits Changes

09/01/2025

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SCOTTISH PENSIONERS ON ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE

In 2025 Pension Age Disability Payment is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland. You do not need to do anything if you already get Attendance Allowance. You cannot get Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance at the same time. It's paid at 2 different rates, lower and higher.

Information about Pension Age Disability Payment including payment rates, who should apply, how to apply, what happens after you apply and what to do if you disagree with a decision.

07/01/2025

Scam Aware
Below is a breakdown of what’s highlighted by NTS Scam Aware. Remember if you’ve been affected please report it - you’re not alone.

Criminals are again impersonating the police and using cold calls to scare people into revealing their financial details. This is being done online so beware!

Criminals on Facebook are sharing links to fake websites promising access to sold-out Lidl mystery boxes. When victims try to pay for their bargain box, their payment details are stolen and used to set up recurring payments, allowing criminals to take money from their bank accounts. Beware!

Beware! A scam text, leading to a convincing duplicate of Transport for London’s (TfL) website, is doing the rounds. The scam text, which tells you that your congestion charge Auto Pay service is ‘disabled', is the latest in a series of text messages leading to copycat websites.

Beware! Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards Officers are asking people to be cautious of criminals posing as family and friends to obtain money through gift cards.

Beware! It can affect any bank.
A major bank has sounded the alarm, warning the public to be extra cautious of criminals during the festive period. This comes after reports emerged of customers losing almost £2 million to bank transfer scams at this time last year.
In one distressing episode, a customer had £1,700 stolen after they paid a seemingly legitimate "recruiter" on WhatsApp. Santander has previously said the average cost of becoming a scam victim is about £500 disappearing from a person's account.

January sales bargain hunters are being warned by a bank to watch out for rogue retailers claiming to offer big discounts.

18/12/2024

This is our Facebook group where you can have help and guidance by our Admin team 5 days a week. Group is closed until after new year where will then reopen.

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14FuvSq1YZ/

18/12/2024

2025 will see alot of Information added to our page that can help get and give information on benefits. @gmail.com