Scam Alert: Fake DWP Texts and "Free Food" Offers to Watch Out For

Quick summary: Scammers deliberately target people who are short of money, with fake messages about DWP payments, energy rebates, free supermarket vouchers and grants. The government never asks you to apply for a payment by text or through a link, and a real food bank never charges you. If you get a suspicious text, forward it free to 7726. If you've given bank details, call your bank straight away on 159.

Applies in: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Checked September 2026.

Why people who are struggling get targeted

When money is tight, an offer of £200, a free food voucher or a bill refund is hard to ignore. Scammers know that. They copy the logos and language of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Ofgem, supermarkets and charities, so their messages look like the real thing.

Falling for one isn't a sign of being foolish. These messages are built to look real.

The scams doing the rounds

MoneyHelper, the government-backed money guidance service, warns about these common types:

Scam	What it looks like
Fake DWP payments	A text or email saying you're due a "cost of living payment" or benefit top-up and need to apply or confirm your details
Energy rebate scams	A message claiming to be from Ofgem or your supplier, offering a refund if you click a link
Free supermarket food	A post or message offering free vouchers or food giveaways from a big supermarket, if you fill in a form
Petrol discounts	Offers of cheap fuel that ask for card details
Celebrity investment offers	Adverts using famous faces to sell get-rich-quick schemes

How to tell it's fake

Watch for these warning signs:

It asks for personal details, bank details, a PIN or a password
It asks you to make a "test payment" or pay a fee to receive money
It rushes you, saying you'll miss out if you don't act today
It comes from a number that looks real. Scammers can make calls and texts appear to come from a genuine organisation. This is called number spoofing

Some rules that don't change:

The government doesn't ask you to apply for payments by text or link. GOV.UK confirms there are no more Cost of Living Payments, so any message offering one is a warning sign. Read more in Is there a Cost of Living Payment in 2026?
Winter payments are automatic. Cold Weather Payments are paid without any application, and nidirect says you will not be sent a text or email asking for your bank details. See Cold Weather Payment 2026/27
Real Ofgem emails end in @ofgem.gov.uk
A real grant or benefit won't charge you a fee to receive it

Food banks are always free

Food banks never charge for food, and they never ask you to pay a deposit or a fee to get a parcel. If a page or post asks for money to "book" a food parcel or join a list, it isn't a real food bank. Read more: are food banks free?

foodbanks.co.uk is a free directory. We'll never ask you for money or bank details to find a food bank. Find your nearest food bank here.

Clicked a link or given details? Do this now

Call your bank straight away. Dial 159 to reach most major banks safely. It works like 101 for the police or 111 for the NHS, and more than 25 banks and building societies use it, according to Stop Scams UK.
Change any passwords you may have given away, starting with your email and online banking.
Report it. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at reportfraud.police.uk. Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
Keep the messages. Screenshots and phone numbers help your bank and the police.

How to report a scam message

Texts: forward them to 7726. It's free and goes to your mobile provider
Emails: forward them to report@phishing.gov.uk
Fake adverts: report them to the platform they appear on

Full details are on the GOV.UK page on reporting suspicious messages.

Where to get real help

Help through Hardship helpline: 0808 208 2138, run by Trussell and Citizens Advice, free, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, England and Wales. More about the helpline
Check what you're entitled to: Am I missing out? Free benefits calculators
Energy help: how to get an emergency fuel voucher

Frequently asked questions

Does the DWP send texts about payments?

The DWP doesn't ask you to apply for payments or give bank details by text or through a link. If a message asks you to, treat it as a scam.

Is the free supermarket voucher on social media real?

Almost certainly not. Free food and voucher giveaways that ask you to fill in a form or share personal details are a common scam.

What number do I forward scam texts to?

Forward scam texts to 7726. It's free.

What should I do if I've given my bank details to a scammer?

Call your bank straight away on 159, change your passwords, and report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or to Police Scotland on 101 if you live in Scotland.

Do food banks ever charge a fee?

No. Food banks are free. Anyone asking for a fee to give you a food parcel isn't a real food bank.

Has Action Fraud changed its name?

Yes. Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. It covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, report fraud to Police Scotland on 101.

Sources