East Lancashire pensioners and their families have been alerted to a cruel new scam text being sent to elderly people so criminals can hack their bank accounts.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has warned people the message is being sent out to people telling them to claim a new living allowance to replace the Winter Fuel Allowance.

However, the message is bogus and is an attempt to gain access to their finances.

The scam text claims to come from the government and states it will be paying out living allowances instead of the winter fuel allowance.

It asks the person receiving the text to then click on an attached link to update their details and claim the allowance.

More than 80 per cent of pensioners in East Lancashire are no longer eligible for winter fuel payments after the Government changed the free cash handout to be means-tested, making only those on Pension Credit eligible for the £200 fee.

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesperson said "If you receive this text, please do not click on the link or respond to the message – it is a scam and you may end up being hacked and losing money.

"Please share this message with any older people in your life, such as family or neighbours, and warn them not to click on any links like this.

"The government, or the council, do not send out text messages asking people to click on links to make a claim for anything.

"These types of messages are never official or legitimate.

"Links can contain something called malware that could infect your phone or device and lead to scammers doing further damage.

"If you have accidentally clicked this link or a similar link, or made a payment, please contact your bank directly.

"If you are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you will be paid automatically, or through being accepted for a new claim for Pension Credit which then makes you eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment."

The scam text message reads: "UK Government Living Allowance Office Last Time Reminder:

"Due to the reduction of winter heating subsidy, you can no longer receive it, and the uk government has decided to advance the living subsidy to allow you to survive the winter.

"We will reopen applications. Please apply for your living subsidy in the link as soon as possible after receiving the information.

"If you do not submit an application before 2024/10/15, we will cancel your qualification and reallocate the funds.

"Thank you for your support to the UK Government."