Is this a phishing scam?

calcotti

If you are in England and Wales WHD is set up automatically by government and utility companies. Anything indicating a need to apply is a scam.
https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-eligible-for-warm-home-discount

You do not need to apply for the Warm Home Discount. You’ll be paid automatically by your energy supplier.

However 'Warm Home Discount – Support Plus' may be an EDF scheme (about which i know nothing)

Robbie64

Warm Home Discount - Support Plus is the old WHD scheme that EDF used to run (and is how I used to qualify). That scheme no longer exists except in Scotland, where it is now named Warm Home Discount Scotland - Broader Group. The form that needs to be completed on the EDF website is a carbon copy of the one I used to complete

https://my.edfenergy.com/warm-home-discount

OP - do you live in Scotland? Maybe IncomeMax are sending an out of date generic email.

sheramber

While it is a genuine company it is not for the WHD paymnent.

It is a company who will check your income/circumstances and see if you are entitled to any other help. This is detailed in the link above.

They are contacting those who have applied for WHD.

The WHD will be paid automatically..

https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/help-support/warm-home-discount

This year in England and Wales, if you’re eligible for the payment, you don’t need to apply.

Government changes introduced this year in England and Wales mean that, if you’re eligible to receive the £150 payment, you don’t need to apply.  

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you from November 2022 if you qualify for the Warm Home Discount – Core Group 1 or Core Group 2 rebate.

This letter will contain any next steps you may need to take to receive the rebate.
 

Brie

oddly - if I hold my curser over the webpage name in the OP's post I can see a very long web address that looks like what I get for scam emails.  I don't get the same when I hold my curser over @HillStreetBlues edf webpage link.

If you are not sure it's legit then I would suggest you contact edf directly.

HillStreetBlues

Brie said:

oddly - if I hold my curser over the webpage name in the OP's post I can see a very long web address that looks like what I get for scam emails.  I don't get the same when I hold my curser over @HillStreetBlues edf webpage link.

If you are not sure it's legit then I would suggest you contact edf directly.

The link is a redirect via   Sendinblue (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sendinblue)  a large marketing company.
The info in the long link will tell Incomemax where it came from. (But if anyone on here clicks that link it would then be misleading).
They do it as it can tell them if e-mails,  notice on different websites  etc  are the best way of contacting people ( where is the most cost effective way to advertise) as each link will be a different makeup but lead to the same final website.

Spoonie_Turtle

Brie said:

oddly - if I hold my curser over the webpage name in the OP's post I can see a very long web address that looks like what I get for scam emails.  I don't get the same when I hold my curser over @HillStreetBlues edf webpage link.

If you are not sure it's legit then I would suggest you contact edf directly.

Interesting.  The link in the OP is https://6eief.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sanm51uxVG-Lt7YlR7Mlo-izbHqjXLo1uD3kRrdnbHRLriGmFlkPMM8j4uSnmCSxWrK6RS_utOGsbyzrsqiyOUY8zV_u4b8ObSAk4alxzLNzEPCVU7IopkWUxhWbJm1HDd63CGlT4vAe8Jlok-6GzkFdns_FLRYxWN9Iz3CYfo9EC-cCoMmZjwdx8bVkRK_dz9oOf4ZgynFEpNREVPpOEsR_G8Tv3Smo4joRjLejtOEX48Ctv1-nWJ2VhZqsAYHnz-7PzsxNUf9lZGVVuPcTN5wdw_Ynn34ssIIHDEvdOOYyYdR-fZXjof0lcNitvIz_LxzkicwIE6FyilDxUDyEjw41JIoQ4uU-uA_f_FmpE19vKFb-5jH3u9kgRmoJHTpwppdIXw7zHkdJM4xPxNBkvALeyWfdBwBEiSCWc4AG6zOe6s309iAtjTapJXTieccnkTzHOSnArKJX_c3QB7FF9RgTh5a1s6meu99gAxkgtag

Clicking it does take you to a site with the URL https://whd.incomemax.org.uk/  so sendibm3.com may be a digital marketing/analytics thing; I've had odd-looking links from newsletters etc. that I know for sure were legit. 

BUT if you're ever at all unsure, safest always is to go directly to the website rather than click on links.  Your safety is much more important than their analytics!

MalMonroe

If you look at their website, it seems they are a debt help company. But if you want help with debt there are the three reliable and trusted, free agencies already - StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice.

I don't think it's fair of EDF to be pushing this company to its customers and think yes, it could be referred to as phishing. 

Income Max profess to help those who are struggling to pay bills, etc. And the people who apply for WHD appear to be in the category they target.

I think it's atrocious that EDF would lead customers to this company (legitimate or not) without their permission.

As others have said, once you apply for WHD, you don't need to do any more as if you are eligible, it will be paid by the energy company.

Robbie64

MalMonroe said:

If you look at their website, it seems they are a debt help company. But if you want help with debt there are the three reliable and trusted, free agencies already - StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice.

I don't think it's fair of EDF to be pushing this company to its customers and think yes, it could be referred to as phishing. 

Income Max profess to help those who are struggling to pay bills, etc. And the people who apply for WHD appear to be in the category they target.

I think it's atrocious that EDF would lead customers to this company (legitimate or not) without their permission.

As others have said, once you apply for WHD, you don't need to do any more as if you are eligible, it will be paid by the energy company.

EDF have used IncomeMax to verify WHD claims for a few years. I had to submit paperwork to them a few years ago. However, unless someone lives in Scotland and is in the Broader Group, IncomeMax shouldn't be asking people to provide paperwork in connection with a WHD unless EDF are running an additional WHD scheme that I am unaware of (I am a customer too).

Spoonie_Turtle

MalMonroe said:

As others have said, once you apply for WHD, you don't need to do any more as if you are eligible, it will be paid by the energy company.

And nobody in England or Wales should be applying for the WHD in the first place 

missile

As you have suggested, I do live in Scotland.
I responded to e mail and they telephoned me. They had my telephone number / were able to confirm my name, address and EDF account number and I am confident this was a genuine, generic e mail. I did make the point out that it had all the hallmarks of a phishing scam, but they were not interested.

Thanks to all, for your comments