Northern Ireland energy payment voucher scam warning issued

An example of a recent energy discount scam text message.

People across Northern Ireland who will receive £600 energy payment vouchers are being urged to be on their guard against scammers looking to cash in.

The warning comes with the rollout of the first vouchers from Monday, January 16.

Chair of ScamwiseNI Partnership, Chief Superintendent Gerard Pollock said: “People who pay their bills quarterly or use pre-payment meters will receive these vouchers in the post, along with an accompanying letter. If this applies to you but you receive an email, a text message or a phone call about the vouchers, purporting to be from Post Office NI, it’s a scam. Please do not let yourself be caught out.”

Northern Ireland £600 energy payment roll-out: what to do with your voucher and ...

Chief Superintendent Pollock is urging people to make themselves aware of what to do if they’re targeted in a scam.

“We know scammers have targeted the £400 energy rebate scheme in England, Wales and Scotland so I would expect criminals to be trying to exploit our Northern Ireland scheme.

"This may look like text messages similar to those received for that scam tailored for Northern Ireland and I want everyone to remember these texts are scams and delete them.”

Five rules to stop a scam

The easiest way to stop a scam is to apply these five rules if you receive a call or text out of the blue and believe it to be suspicious.

Hang up the call immediately and never call the number back Always delete texts requesting personal information or bank account details Never clink on links in text messages Don’t respond to unsolicited texts Never ever transfer money at the request of someone you do not know

"We’d also encourage families to discuss this advice with relatives who may be vulnerable. Having a conversation and raising awareness about how to stop the scammers could make all the difference,” added Chief Superintendent Pollock.

How to report a scam

If you’ve been targeted by a scammer and have lost money, call police on 101 to report it, or online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ and report it to your bank immediately.

You can also make a report to Action Fraud online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Information and advice is also available at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni