An email asks me to 'verify' my child benefit payment details or my payments will stop - what should I check?
Check the sender's actual email address and the link destination before doing anything - this is a common phishing template used against parents receiving child-related benefits.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Explanation
This scam targets parents and caregivers receiving child benefit or similar family support payments, claiming that a routine 'verification' is required to keep payments flowing. The email usually contains a link to a fake login page that mimics the real benefits portal, aiming to capture your account credentials, banking details, and sometimes your children's personal information, which can be used for identity theft affecting the child later in life.
Genuine agencies occasionally do require periodic reviews of family circumstances for benefits tied to children, such as confirming a child still lives with you or is still in education, but these are typically initiated through your online account directly or through a formal letter, not exclusively through an emailed link with an urgent deadline. Always check the sender's actual email address (not just the display name, which can be faked) and hover over links to see the true destination before clicking.
If in doubt, log into your benefits account directly by typing the address into your browser rather than clicking the email link, and complete any genuine verification requirement there.
Common red flags
- Urgent deadline to 'verify' details or payments stop
- Display name looks official but the actual email address doesn't match the agency's domain
- Link destination (visible by hovering) doesn't match the official government domain
- Requests children's full names, dates of birth, and National Insurance/SSN-equivalent numbers
- Poor grammar or formatting inconsistent with official communications
- No option to verify through your existing online account instead of the email link
What to do now
- Check the sender's actual email address, not just the display name
- Hover over any link to check its real destination before clicking
- Log into your benefits account directly via the official website instead of using the email link
- Do not provide your children's personal information via email links
- Report the email as phishing to your email provider
- Contact the agency directly if you're unsure whether a genuine review is due
Frequently asked questions
Do agencies ever ask for verification of child benefit details?
Periodic reviews do happen, but they're normally handled via your online account or formal letter, and you should always verify independently rather than trusting an email link alone.
Why would scammers want my child's information?
Children's personal details, including their SSN or National Insurance number, can be used for identity theft that may go undetected for years since children don't typically check their own credit.