Fell for winter fuel text scam - what next?

doglover101

I don’t normally fall for text scams but it caught me at a bad time when I was busy doing something else. 

This was the text I received, I now know it is a scam: 

Department for Work and Pensions official reminder:

Our records show you have not yet applied for the 2025–2026 Winter Fuel Payment.

Please click on the link to view the subsidy amount. you must complete your application by 13  August 2025.

Failure to apply by this date will mean you are no longer eligible.

Apply now via the secure link below:

(Have removed link that was here in case anyone accidentally clicked it.)

(Reply ‘Y’, then close and reopen this message to activate the link, or copy it into your Safari browser.)

I filled in my personal information (name, email, address) and card details. 

I have now cancelled my card, but was wondering if there was anything else I can do to protect my personal information? 

(And no, I wont be falling for it again!)

Thanks in advance. 

MyRealNameToo

Main issue is that you will now be on the sucker list so your details will be heavily traded as someone who falls for scams etc so you will probably see a spike in the number of calls, texts and emails you receive. 

Jaybee_16

Had a couple of these in the past. Looked at the area code it originated and shown as Morocco.

Interestingly after reading this post I received another one this afternoon, this time from a Philippines area code. 

diveunderthebonnet

I posted on this some time ago as i nearly fell for this scam ,my wife has had loads lately but is wise to them as i warned her and she deletes them straight away.

SevenOfNine

MyRealNameToo said:

Main issue is that you will now be on the sucker list so your details will be heavily traded as someone who falls for scams etc so you will probably see a spike in the number of calls, texts and emails you receive. 

I'm not so gullible as to fall for a scam......UNTIL I DID! Texts via my mobile a couple of months ago. Never saw myself as being a mug but MyRealNameToo is correct, I'm now on the "sucker list"  Serves me right.

Thankfully realised fairly fast (pity I wasn't faster) Lloyds fraud were great, also moved fast & money back in our a/c within hours. There is a scheme between banks to cover loses of the truly daft (Authorised Push Payment (APP) Fraud Reimbursement Scheme) if it's too late to retrieve that comes into play, they share the loss & reimburse you but there may be an 'excess' charge implemented. 

Had 2 other texts since, obviously ignore & block, lesson learnt. But also a bit less dismissive as I once was of those who have tripped over a scam, get caught off guard, circumstances falling in favour of a scammer,  I can hardly believe I got reeled right in.