New Forest warn of scam after £100 energy payment announced
Households have been warned not to hand over their bank details as scammers could cash in on a new £100 energy payment
Households have been warned not to hand over their bank details as scammers could cash in on a new £100 energy payment.
New Forest District Council (NFDC) issued the warning after the Government announced support for eligible households in council tax bands A to D as part of the autumn Budget.
Around 57,700 properties across the New Forest fall within those bands, with the scheme estimated to deliver £5.7 million in support.
The £100 Household Energy Payment was announced on Wednesday, October 28, to help households with rising energy costs.
Up to 20 million households across England are expected to be eligible, with payments due to begin from January 2027.
However, NFDC said it is still waiting for detailed government guidance on how the scheme will be administered and warned that exemptions to eligibility could still be announced.
In a message to residents, the council urged people to be cautious about unexpected texts, emails or social media messages inviting them to apply for the money.
It also warned people not to provide personal or bank details or pay a fee in response to unsolicited messages, as they could be scams.
A council spokesperson said: “We have approximately 57,700 properties in Council Tax bands A to D.
“This support will equate to approximately £5.7 million in support.
“We await the guidance from the government on how the scheme is to be administered, including the discretionary scheme.
“Most council taxpayers pay by direct debit, and we have their bank account details to make the payment to.”
Asked about the potential for fraud, the council added: “We will ensure our processes are robust to mitigate any fraud.”
Under the Government’s plans, eligible households that pay council tax by direct debit will receive the £100 automatically, while those who do not will be invited by their council to apply.
The Government has also announced £100 million for councils to provide discretionary support for households struggling with energy costs that do not qualify for the £100 payment.
NFDC said residents do not need to contact the authority about the scheme at this stage, and further information will be published when government guidance becomes available.