Warnings Issued About SMS Scams Targeting Benefits

Officials in Pennsylvania have issued a warning about a text message scam targeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, claiming their EBT cards have been deactivated. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) assures that they will never send unsolicited messages requesting personal information. Concurrently, as health insurance open enrollment begins, experts caution consumers against fraudsters posing as legitimate insurance providers, with scams proliferating via phone, text, and social media. In the UK, similar scams are exploiting vulnerable citizens by falsely promising winter heating payments, with reports of phishing sites masquerading as official government pages. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that no new payments are being issued beyond previously scheduled allowances, urging the public to remain cautious. Citizens are advised to report any suspicious communications promptly to the relevant authorities.