Pensioners urged to be alert to Winter Fuel Payment scams: what UK households should check
Understand HMRC's Winter Fuel Payment scam warning, who may be affected, how recovery may work, and what pensioners can check safely.
Winter Fuel Payment scams: what pensioners should check
What changed?
HMRC published a warning on 14 April 2026 telling pensioners to be alert to scams linked to the recovery of Winter Fuel Payments.
The official source says Winter Fuel Payments paid in winter 2025 will be recovered from pensioners with income above £35,000. It also says scammers may use the recovery process as a hook for fake texts, emails and phone calls.
HMRC says people can use its online checking tool on GOV.UK to see whether their payment will be reclaimed and how.
Who may be affected?
This warning may be relevant if you, or someone you help, received a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2025 and may have income above £35,000, based on the official source.
The official source says almost two million people are expected to repay their winter 2025 payment because their annual income is more than £35,000. For most people, HMRC says recovery will be automatic.
The warning applies across the UK. HMRC says this includes Scotland, where the payment is known as the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, and Northern Ireland, where payments were made by the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive.
Why does it matter?
Scammers often try to make official-looking messages feel urgent. HMRC says it saw more than 25,000 Winter Fuel Payment scam referrals over the previous 12 months.
The important point is that HMRC says it will never contact people by text or email to ask them to repay their Winter Fuel Payment or request bank details.
What should the user check?
You may want to check:
- whether the GOV.UK checking tool says your payment will be reclaimed
- whether any message asking for repayment or bank details is really from HMRC
- whether a PAYE tax code change or Self Assessment entry explains the recovery
- whether a suspicious text, email or phone call should be reported using GOV.UK guidance
- whether someone vulnerable in your household needs help checking official information safely
How HMRC says recovery may work
HMRC says that, for most people, the payment will be recovered through a change to their PAYE tax code from April 2026.
For Self Assessment customers who file online, HMRC says the payment should be pre-populated in the 2025 to 2026 tax return, which is due by 31 January 2027. Customers should check and add it manually if it is not shown.
HMRC says paper filers will need to add it on their tax return, due by 31 October 2026.
HMRC also gives an example: for a typical Winter Fuel Payment of £200, PAYE customers with income above £35,000 will pay approximately £17 per month extra in tax during the 2026 to 2027 tax year to recover their payment.
Common warning signs
Be cautious with messages that claim to be about Winter Fuel Payment repayment and ask for bank details, card details, passwords or urgent payment.
HMRC says it will not ask for Winter Fuel Payment repayment or bank details by text or email. If you are unsure, use GOV.UK directly rather than a link in an unexpected message.
How to report suspicious contact
HMRC says suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC can be forwarded to 60599, and suspicious emails can be forwarded to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
HMRC says suspicious scam phone calls can be reported through GOV.UK. If money has been stolen, HMRC says people should contact their bank and notify Report Fraud. In Scotland, HMRC says to contact police on 101.
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Simple UK example
For example, a pensioner receives a text saying they must repay a Winter Fuel Payment immediately and must enter bank details through a link.
HMRC says it will never contact people by text or email to ask them to repay their Winter Fuel Payment or request bank details. A safer check would be to ignore the link, go to GOV.UK directly, and use the official checking tool or reporting guidance.
FAQ
What is the Winter Fuel Payment scam warning about?
HMRC warned that scammers may use the Winter Fuel Payment recovery process to target pensioners with texts, emails and phone calls.
Will HMRC ask for bank details by text or email?
HMRC says it will never contact people by text or email to ask them to repay their Winter Fuel Payment or request bank details.
How can someone check whether their payment will be reclaimed?
HMRC says people can use its online checking tool on GOV.UK to see whether their payment will be reclaimed and how.
Does everyone need to contact HMRC?
HMRC says there is no need to contact HMRC to check whether and how the payment will be recovered. It points people to the online tool on GOV.UK.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is general information only and does not recommend a product, provider, investment or course of action.
Sources
- Pensioners urged to be alert to Winter Fuel Payment scams - HMRC updates
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not financial advice. Tax rules, benefits and allowances can change. Check official guidance or speak to a qualified adviser before making financial decisions.