Martin Lewis: Money Saving Expert issues scam warning as £150 Warm Home Discount letters arrive, what to check
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Households are being urged to stay alert as fraudsters exploit confusion around energy support ⚠️
- Martin Lewis has warned households to be alert for scams as £150 Warm Home Discount letters are sent out
- The Government will only contact eligible people by a physical letter – texts, emails and calls are scams
- Most qualifying households in England, Wales and Scotland will get the discount automatically
- Some letters may ask for extra information, but genuine advisers will never request bank details
- Payments will be applied automatically to energy bills between October 2025 and March 2026
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has issued a fresh warning to households expecting a £150 Warm Home Discount letter, urging people to be on high alert for scams as payments begin rolling out across the UK.
With millions of eligible households in England, Scotland and Wales due to receive confirmation from the Government between October and early January, scammers are expected to swoop in, exploiting confusion around who qualifies and how the scheme works.
Writing on the Money Saving Expert (MSE) website, Lewis’ team says understanding what a genuine letter looks like, and what it will never ask you to do, is crucial.
What to look out for
Lewis’ team says the Government will only ever contact you about the Warm Home Discount by a physical letter.
That means any email, text message or phone call claiming to confirm your eligibility, request details or prompt action is a scam.
Some energy suppliers may send texts about the discount, but MSE strongly advises against clicking links or calling numbers in those messages.
Instead, always find your supplier’s contact details independently (for example, on a recent bill) and check directly.
Who should be getting a letter?
In England and Wales, most eligible households will receive a letter automatically confirming they qualify.
To be eligible, you must have been named on your electricity account on 24 August 2025 and receiving a means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit on that date.
Most people will not need to do anything at all, and the £150 will be applied automatically. Some households may receive a letter saying they are “potentially eligible” and need to provide more information.
In Scotland, people who receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit and were named on their electricity account on the qualifying date will automatically get a confirmation letter and do not need to respond.
Others on means-tested benefits may still qualify but must apply directly through their energy supplier; they won’t receive a Government letter.
In Northern Ireland, there is no Warm Home Discount scheme at all. Any letter claiming otherwise is a scam.
What do genuine Warm Home Discount letter include?
If your letter says you automatically qualify, that’s it. You will not be asked to click links, call anyone, provide documents or share details. Any request to do so is a red flag.
If more information is needed, the letter will ask you to call a specific Government helpline and quote a unique reference code. Even then, the adviser will never ask for bank details or direct you online.
If you’re unsure, you can verify your letter and reference code by calling the general Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322.
If you have shared bank or card details, call 159 immediately to reach your bank. Report the scam to Report Fraud (Action Fraud) or Consumer Advice, and stop engaging with the scammer straight away.
Lewis’ team says acting quickly gives you the best chance of limiting damage, and helps protect others too.
When are Warm Home Discount payments made?
This winter’s Warm Home Discount payments will be made automatically between October 2025 and March 2026.
Direct Debit customers receive a bill credit, smart prepay users get credit added automatically, while traditional prepay customers may be sent vouchers or, in some cases, a cheque from their energy supplier.
Again, if anything looks suspicious, contact your supplier using details you trust.
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