Good afternoon,

We've received information from Action Fraud that they're recording very high numbers of reports of suspicious emails relating to cold weather payments schemes, such as the Winter Fuel Payment.  The emails purport to be from various government agencies, such as HMRC, and instruct you to make a claim “using the link provided”.  The links lead you to phishing websites created by criminals, designed to steal your personal and financial information.

Please check with the organisation before responding to any messages.  Don't use the number or address in the message - use the details from their official website.  Your bank (or any other official source) will never ask you to supply personal information via email.

Spotted a suspicious email? Forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service - report@phishing.gov.uk

If you've been affected by a crime please contact Victim Care Hub for free, confidential support: Home - Hampshire Victim Care Hub (hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk) or phone 0808 178 1641

If you would like to report a crime anonymously please contact: Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) or phone 0800 555 111

Hampshire Alerts is not a crime reporting portal – please do not report crime here.

If you realise you’ve been scammed and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Action Fraud either phone 0300 123 2040 or online at: Action Fraud

If a crime is in progress, and/or you are in fear for yourself or someone else, and/or there is evidence in situ that could be damaged/destroyed, please phone 999 immediately. 

Otherwise, report online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: Report a crime | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team