Winter Fuel Payments, car finance mis-selling, AI and other ways scammers are targeting us in 2025

Fraudsters are upping their game by playing on fears we all have about our finances in the current climate. Here’s what you need to know.

As 2025 progresses, recent news events are giving con artists more ammunition to grab our hard-earned cash.

Whether it’s bogus car finance payouts, Winter Fuel Payments refunds or AI-generated celebrity endorsements, con artists are taking advantage of whatever is in the headlines.

And with UK Finance reporting that more than £1 billion was lost to fraud in 2024, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Many of these scams look and feel legitimate – so spotting the warning signs is essential.

1. Winter Fuel Payment refund texts

As most of our readers will know, the Government’s failed plan to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for all but the poorest pensioners has been one of the biggest financial controversies since it came to power.

Sadly, fraudsters also know this.

As such, there has been a surge in scam texts and emails pretending to be from the Government, local councils or HMRC.

These messages typically claim the recipient is due a £300 refund.

Phoney links within the email will then direct the victim to copycat websites where they’re asked to input personal and financial details.

How to avoid getting caught out

As with most scams, the key is to be wary of unsolicited messages.

Genuine payments such as Winter Fuel usually arrive automatically to eligible households and HMRC will never ask you to claim refunds via text.

You can learn more in our article How to spot a fake Winter Heating Subsidy text or email

2. Car finance compensation cons

During 2025, the car finance mis-selling scandal has also made unsuspecting motorists an attractive target for fraudsters.

As has been widely reported, regulator The Financial Conduct Authority plans to set up a multi-billion-pound scheme to compensate people who were mis-sold car loans between 2007 and 2020.

Under this practice, some car finance brokers and dealers were increasing interest rates on loans to up their own commissions.

Although payments won’t begin until at least 2026, this hasn’t stopped fraudsters from jumping in early.

Thousands of drivers have already received texts and calls claiming they’re owed thousands – in some cases £16,000 – and asking for bank details or “processing fees” to secure their payout.

How to avoid getting caught out

Be aware that neither the FCA nor lenders is currently contacting those affected.

If you think you have been a victim of mis-selling, wait for the official scheme to open or complain directly to your lender.

3. Celebrity deepfake scams

Perhaps the most unsettling trend of 2025 is the rise of AI-powered scams.

As we previously reported, fraudsters are creating eerily convincing deepfake videos of celebrities – from Hollywood stars to UK household names – endorsing investments or even inviting supposed “personal” chats.

How to avoid getting caught out

When you’re watching an online ad, keep an eye out for awkward lip-syncing, robotic voices or strangely smooth skin textures.

And remember – most celebrities don't approach strangers to offer financial advice or romance.

4. Job and investment cons

With many Brits now wishing to work from home permanently, fraudsters are using this as a hook to lure in job hunters.

As a result, offers of “easy work from home” jobs, promising high pay for little effort, are spreading on social media.

The aim, of course, is to gather your private data, sometimes even your bank information, under the guise of setting you up on payroll.

How to avoid getting caught out

If a job advert sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.

Genuine employers don’t ask for bank details before signing contracts, and ethical companies cannot guarantee that you'll "get rich quick".

The best-paying university degrees, plus those least at risk from AI

5. Ticket scams

Festivals and stadium tours are a key component of the British summer, and 2025 has been no exception.

From the Oasis reunion to Coldplay gigs, demand for tickets is sky-high. And that demand is fuelling a surge in ticket scams, with victims now losing an average of £150, according to Barclays’ latest Scams Bulletin.

Barclays’ data shows scams peak in late summer, when resale demand for sold-out shows is strongest.

Most fraud originates on social media, where scammers exploit the fear of missing out to push non-existent tickets.

How to avoid getting caught out

The best way to fight fraud is to buy only through official channels such as venues, artists and accredited resellers, and to pay with a debit or credit card.

This way, you’re protected if things go wrong.

The bottom line

Fraudsters are using every tool at their disposal to prey on their victims – from AI technology to real-world news stories.

What links all of these scams is urgency: they push you to move quickly, whether it’s claiming a prize, securing a payout or avoiding a missed opportunity.

Think carefully before acting, verify details through trusted sources, and never hand over money or information on impulse.