With scams becoming increasingly frequent and convincing, it’s more important than ever to stay alert. Fraudsters are constantly coming up with new ways to trick people into handing over money or personal details - often pretending to be someone you trust, like a bank, government agency or delivery company. At CHAP, we’ve been hearing directly from clients who’ve been targeted by scammers - and sadly, some have been caught out. There are too many scams to list, but here are six of the most common scams around at the moment, along with tips on how to stay one step ahead. 1. DWP Winter Heating Payment Scam Texts Scammers are sending texts that appear to be from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), asking older people to confirm their details or risk losing out on their Winter Heating Payment. How to spot: Genuine government bodies won’t ask for your personal details by text or ask you to click a link. Look out for poor spelling or grammar, and suspicious links. If in doubt, contact the DWP directly using a verified number or website. 2. Fake Royal Mail or Courier Delivery Texts You receive a text or email saying there’s a parcel waiting to be delivered, but a fee must be paid first. The link takes you to a fake website that captures your card details. How to spot: Unexpected delivery texts, especially if you haven’t ordered anything. Requests for small payments (e.g. £1.99) to 'release' a parcel. Hover over or inspect links before clicking - real courier companies will never demand upfront fees like this. 3. Council Tax Refund or Rebanding Scams Scammers pretend to be from your local council or a claims company and say you’re owed a Council Tax rebate. They then ask for your bank details or a fee to 'process' the refund. How to spot: Councils don’t charge a fee to check your band or issue a refund. Never give bank details to cold callers or unsolicited emails/texts. If you're unsure, contact your council directly using details from their official website. 4. Fake Banking Fraud Calls or Texts You’re told there’s suspicious activity on your bank account, and you're urged to transfer your money to a 'safe account'. The caller may sound very convincing and even know some of your personal details. How to spot: Your bank will never ask you to move your money or share full PINs/passwords. Don’t rely on caller ID - scammers can often spoof legitimate numbers. Hang up and call your bank using a trusted number. 5. HMRC Tax Refund or Fine Scams You receive a message or call claiming you’re due a tax refund or that you owe HMRC money and will face legal action if you don’t pay immediately. How to spot: HMRC doesn’t contact people this way and will never demand urgent payment via text or call. Scare tactics and urgency are red flags. Check by logging into your official HMRC online account. 6. Energy Bill Discount Scams Fraudsters claim you’re eligible for a government grant or energy discount and ask you to fill in a form with your personal or banking information. How to spot: The government doesn’t ask for personal information this way. If you’re unsure, check the official Government website for schemes and announcements. Never click links in unexpected emails or texts claiming to be from Ofgem or your energy supplier. Other Scams to Be Aware Of There are many more scams out there - too many to list - but here are just a couple of others to watch out for: Microsoft Tech Support Scam Cold callers claim to be from Microsoft and say there’s a problem with your computer. They’ll ask you to download software so they can 'fix' it remotely, then try to charge you hundreds of pounds for fake repairs or software that doesn’t exist. Never allow remote access to your computer unless you’ve contacted a verified support service yourself. WhatsApp Family Scam You receive a message that appears to be from your son, daughter, or another family member saying they’ve lost their phone and need money urgently. Always call or speak to the person directly before sending money - don’t rely on text alone. Where to Report Scams In Scotland, report all scams to Advice Direct Scotland by calling 0808 164 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or online at www.consumeradvice.scot Fraud If you have been the victim of fraud, report it to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Suspicious Emails You can forward suspicious emails to: report@phishing.gov.uk and send links from websites which you think are trying to scam the public to the National Cyber Security Centre's scam website reporting service at: www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-this-website/report-scam-website Suspicious Text Messages If you receive a suspicious text message you can forward it to 7726 . The free-of-charge ‘7726’ service enables your provider to investigate and take action if malicious content is found. Protect Yourself Take your time - scammers rely on panic and urgency. Never click on suspicious links - always go directly to the official site. Stay informed - follow CHAP on social media for weekly updates through our Scam Watch series. The best defence against scams is awareness - so let’s keep each other informed and one step ahead. If you, or anyone you know, is facing issues related to housing, benefits or debt, please call Freephone 030 0002 0002 or use the Live Chat feature on our website. All our services are FREE, confidential and impartial.

Now that the summer holidays are in full swing, many families are looking forward to a well-earned break from the usual routine. But for some parents and carers, the holidays can also bring added pressure - especially for households already managing on a low income. When school is in session, children benefit from structured days, school meals, and a range of free activities. Without that daily support, the summer months can sometimes feel long and financially draining. The added costs of food, activities, and childcare can put a real strain on already tight budgets. At CHAP, we understand how challenging this time of year can be. That’s why we want to remind families that help is available and that nobody should feel they have to face these pressures alone. Free and Low-Cost Family Activities We know that keeping the kids amused during school holidays and weekends can be tough when you're on a budget - but there are plenty of free or low-cost places to visit across Ayrshire that the whole family can enjoy. Public Parks Explore places such as Eglinton Country Park, Kelburn Castle & Estate or Dean Castle Country Park - all have play areas, nature trails and loads of space for picnics and adventures. Castles & Museums Visit historically rich places including the North Ayrshire Heritage Centre, Kilwinning Abbey, Portencross Castle or The Dick Institute - all completely free and full of fascinating discoveries for curious minds. Beaches From Largs to Ayr, there are loads of family-friendly spots along the coast to build sandcastles, paddle, or just enjoy the fresh sea air. Hop over to Cumbrae A short, affordable ferry from Largs takes you to the wee island of Cumbrae - perfect for a mini-adventure! Take bikes, enjoy the beach, or walk along the promenade in Millport. You'll often find that your local library will have a programme of activities to keep children active and engaged - without breaking the bank. Help with Food During the Holidays For families who rely on free school meals during term time, the summer holidays can mean added food costs that are hard to cover. Low-income families may be entitled to a payment to support them over the school holiday period. In North Ayrshire, the Council are providing free lunches to eligible children and young people of primary and secondary school age. To find out more please click here . Local food larders and foodbanks play a vital role in supporting families who may be struggling - especially during the school holidays. Food larders usually operate on a membership or low-cost basis, allowing people to access fresh and store-cupboard items at a fraction of supermarket prices. Foodbanks, on the other hand, provide emergency food parcels to those in crisis, usually through a referral system. If you're unsure where your nearest food support is or how to access it, CHAP can help point you in the right direction. List of Food Larders in North Ayrshire List of Food Larders in East Ayrshire South Ayrshire Food Banks Benefit Checks and Budgeting Support The summer period is also a good time to make sure you're claiming everything you’re entitled to. Many families are missing out on support such as: Scottish Child Payment Best Start Grants and Foods Universal Credit Council Tax Reduction Discretionary Housing Payments CHAP’s advisers can help you understand what’s available, assist with applications, and offer budgeting advice to help your money go further - not just during the holidays, but all year round. You’re Not Alone The school holidays should be a time to make memories and enjoy time together - not a source of financial worry. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to turn, please remember that CHAP is here for you. Our advice is always free, confidential and independent. You can call us on Freephone 030 0002 0002 or use the live chat feature on our website.

The final phase of the move from income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to Universal Credit (UC) is now under way. All remaining claimants still receiving old-style ESA are being contacted by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and invited to claim UC by September 2025. Here’s a summary of the key changes and what to watch out for: Migration Timeline The government has brought the deadline forward from December to September 2025 due to the pace of progress. As of March, 200,000 ESA claimants have already been moved across to UC. Around 83,000 migration notices are now being issued each month. Enhanced Support for Vulnerable Claimants If someone doesn’t claim UC by week 12 of receiving their migration notice, the DWP will start what’s called the ‘Enhanced Support Journey’. This includes: Text messages and phone calls to the claimant A possible referral to Citizens Advice or a complex case coach Home visits where needed An automatic four-week extension to the deadline if a home visit is arranged This process is in place to make sure vulnerable or hard-to-reach claimants don’t miss out on support. Special Situations Claimants in hospital, care homes, or supported accommodation can receive home visits to help them make a claim. If someone already has an appointee, that role must be transferred to UC. Appointees will receive the migration notice directly and can complete the UC claim on the claimant’s behalf. Transitional Protections To honour the commitment that no one should be worse off when moving to UC, the DWP offers transitional elements for eligible claimants. This means: If someone’s total legacy benefits are higher than their initial UC entitlement, a transitional amount is added This amount is gradually reduced over time as UC increases (except for the childcare element) Severe Disability Premium (SDP) Claimants who previously received the SDP may qualify for a separate transitional SDP element, depending on their circumstances. There are three fixed rates depending on the individual or household situation, with additional amounts available in some cases, such as for enhanced disability or disabled children. What If the Deadline Is Missed? If a claim is made within one month (minus one day) after the deadline, it may still count as a ‘qualifying claim’. In that case, the UC award should be backdated to the original deadline date. If transitional elements are missing, advisers should request a mandatory reconsideration and appeal if necessary. Claimants can also request deadline extensions or ask for the migration notice to be cancelled. This is at the discretion of the DWP and may be considered in cases of illness, hospitalisation, or other serious circumstances. Changes to Permitted Work Under ESA, permitted work could be done within strict income and hour limits without affecting entitlement. UC does not have an equivalent rule. Instead, earnings are subject to a work allowance and taper rate. The DWP has confirmed that claimants migrating to UC will not be penalised for permitted work carried out under ESA. Need Advice? CHAP’s advisers are here to help people navigate the migration process. We can: Explain deadlines and what they mean Support claimants with their UC application Help challenge decisions and secure transitional protection Offer ongoing advice as circumstances change If you're unsure how these changes affect you - or someone you know - please get in touch. Freephone 030 0002 0002 or use the online chat feature here on our website.

We’re constantly exposed to messages telling us to keep up - with fashion, tech gadgets, trends, and lifestyles that look perfect on social media. It’s no wonder so many people, especially parents, feel the pressure to spend beyond their means just so their kids don’t feel left out at school. It’s so easy to fall into the trap. Store cards with 'buy now, pay later' deals, flashy introductory offers, and limited-time discounts are designed to create a sense of urgency - like if you don’t act now, you’re missing out. But what’s really being missed is usually the small print… high APR rates often leading to debt stress, and long-term financial strain. This cycle of consumerism isn’t by accident - it’s carefully crafted to keep us buying, borrowing and feeling like we’re never quite enough unless we have the next best thing. But here’s the truth: it’s OK to opt out . You don’t have to compete. You don’t need to upgrade. If something still fits, still works and still does the job - just keep using it. You'll be helping yourself and the planet. Living within your means isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s brave. It’s wise. It's not a downgrade; it’s freedom - and it’s more comfortable in the long run. Choose peace over pressure. Your wellbeing matters more than what’s currently 'on trend'. We can help If you're facing debt worries and don't know where to turn, get in touch with CHAP. Our services are free and we can help you take the first steps towards a more stable financial future. Make an appointment by calling Freephone 030 0002 0002 or use the chat feature here on our website.