MPs have warned people not to fall victim to a text and email scam about energy bills.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown, and Sir Peter Bottomley, Conservative MP for Worthing West, both issued alerts about a phishing scam purporting to be from the government.
The text or email claims the recipient has been identified as “eligible for a discounted energy bill under the Energy Bill Support Scheme” and directs people to apply through a website.
The message then directs people to a website, which looks official, to enter their card details.
Mr Russell-Moyle warned that the website link sent in the message ends with .com, but the official government’s website is gov.uk.
Sir Peter urged people to be cautious of the scam and said: “This is a deplorable attempt to scam some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
The Energy Bills Support Scheme provides a £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households to help with energy bills this winter.
The discount is automatic, with all households in England, Scotland and Wales with a domestic electricity connection eligible.
Discounts are applied to monthly household electricity bills over six months starting next month, with £66 in October and November, and £67 in December, January, February and March.
Sussex Police have been contacted for comment.
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