DWP (UK Department for Work and Pensions) Impersonation Scams
Scammers impersonate the DWP to steal personal and banking details from benefits claimants. The real DWP will never ask you to confirm bank details or National Insurance number via a text message link.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
The Department for Work and Pensions oversees benefits including Universal Credit, State Pension, and Personal Independence Payment, making it a trusted name among millions of UK residents. Fraudsters exploit this trust with texts and calls claiming that a payment has been delayed, that an overpayment must be repaid urgently, or that a benefits account needs re-verification.
The DWP communicates through official letters, the Gov.uk portal, and your Universal Credit online journal. It does not use unsolicited text links to collect payment or personal information.
How scammers impersonate it
- Sending texts claiming a benefits payment has been delayed and requires account re-verification via a link
- Calling claimants claiming an overpayment must be repaid immediately to avoid legal action
- Sending emails mimicking DWP letterhead asking for National Insurance numbers and bank details
- Posing as DWP staff on social media offering to fast-track claims in exchange for personal data
- Creating fake Gov.uk-style pages that harvest claimant information
What the real organisation never does
- Send texts with links asking you to confirm bank account details
- Ask for your full National Insurance number, bank details, or password via text or email link
- Demand immediate repayment of an overpayment by phone or text without written confirmation first
- Contact you through social media to discuss your benefits claim
Common red flags
- Text claiming a DWP payment is delayed with a link to verify bank details
- Caller threatening arrest or legal action unless you repay an overpayment by phone immediately
- Email or text asking for your National Insurance number or bank account details
- Message from a number not matching official DWP contact numbers
- 'Gov.uk' style page at a domain that is not gov.uk
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
Text: 'DWP: Your Universal Credit payment is delayed. Confirm your bank details at [fake gov link] to release the payment.'
Call: 'This is the DWP compliance team. You have been overpaid [amount]. You must repay by card today to avoid a penalty charge.'
How to verify
- Log in to your Universal Credit account at gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit — never via a text link
- DWP correspondence is sent by post or through your online journal — not by unsolicited text
- Verify any DWP contact by calling the official DWP helpline: 0800 328 5644
- Report suspicious messages to the National Cyber Security Centre at [email protected]
What to do if you're targeted
- Do not provide any details — hang up or delete the message
- Report the scam to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040
- Forward smishing texts to 7726
Frequently asked questions
The DWP texted me about my Universal Credit — is it real?
The DWP does not use text links to collect bank details or National Insurance numbers. Check your Universal Credit online journal at gov.uk for any genuine notifications.