The money saving expert has shared the latest advice to social media
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis (Image: ITV)
Martin Lewis has urged to followers to be careful about scams that could result in people losing money. The money saving expert regularly shares financial advice and tips to his social media platforms, as well as on ITV’s The Martin Lewis Show.
His latest social media post acts as a “warning” to his 1.5m followers. Martin wrote on Instagram: “WARNING! I don’t ever do adverts. If you see ads or promos anywhere for “innovative platforms”, “get rich quick”, “revealed investment secrets”, “crypto trader” then…THEY’RE CRIMINAL SCAMS ILLEGALLY USING MY NAME & FACE. YOU’LL LOSE YOUR MONEY!
“Unsure? Check on MoneySavingExpert.com. If I’ve owt I think is good, it goes there first. If you can’t find it there, it’s almost certainly a scam!” The warning comes just weeks after the money expert shared a separate warning about Winter Fuel Payment scams doing the rounds. The government announced earlier this year they are expanding Winter Fuel Payments to benefit nine million pensioners this winter.
Everyone over the State Pension age in England and Wales with an income of, or below, £35,000 a year will benefit from the payment. Pensioners do not need to take action as they will automatically receive the payment this winter, for those who have incomes above the threshold it will be recovered by HMRC.
Every household with someone in it who was born before September 22, 1959, will automatically receive Winter Fuel payment this coming winter. On This Morning in June, Martin claimed he was having scams reported to him of people being texted or sent links with links to apply for Winter Fuel Payment.
Martin said: “You do not need to apply for Winter Fuel Payment, it is automatic and anyone asking you to apply is a scammer. Do not do it.”
HMRC shared a similar warning to be on “high alert” for scams as reports have risen over the past month. Fraudsters have been targeting vulnerable people using texts and phishing websites.
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In June, HMRC acted to remove 4,600 fake websites linked to winter fuel payments. The revenue body is urging people to watch out for suspect communications and to report any suspect phone calls, emails or texts via gov.uk.
HMRC will never contact people by text to claim winter fuel payments or request personal information. Winter fuel payments are paid automatically to those who are eligible.
AI-generated scams are something Martin has spoken about before, back in April. AI-generated images were created showing Martin being taken away by two police officers while in handcuffs, with the text reading: “Is this the end of Martin’s career?”
The 52-year-old shared the image on his Instagram, penning a detailed caption warning his followers of the fake. Martin wrote: “PLEASE SHARE THIS WARNING ABOUT THESE SCAMS! There are a raft of these nasty, scam adverts appearing on social media, both with me and others in purporting to people being arrested.
“They are done by criminals as clickbait with the aim of drawing you in then trying to get you to set up investment products (which aren’t real) and can lead to some losing £10,000s. If you see them report them. Do not open them.”
Throughout his career, Martin has warned people about a variety of scams created to deceive them, with the latest using deep fakes. His website, MoneySavingExpert.com, offers advice for the public when faced with these scams.
The MSE team wrote: “These days scammers target people through emails, online banking systems, text messages, online transactions and other means.
“Yet while fraud is always becoming more sophisticated, people still get caught out by traditional scam letters and phone calls.”