Warning over winter fuel payment scam

LOCAL people are being urged to be cautious of any calls, texts or emails claiming to offer them the opportunity to avail of Government grants, funding or benefits.

Recently, many people across the county have received messages that purport to come from an official Government source, encouraging members of the public to secure their ‘winter heating subsidy’.

Omagh town councillor Barry McElduff said, “I have been made aware of a message, and others like it, that has been doing the rounds recently. A few correctly incredulous people sent it to me and asked that I disseminate a warning as widely as possible.”

The particular message referred to begins, “The winter heating subsidy benefit plan provided by the government reminds you: November is about to begin the severe cold period of this winter. The local council will decide to issue you a winter heating subsidy…”

If you receive this message or another that you believe may be a scam, please report it to the PSNI.