Posted: Thu 31st Mar 2022

Flintshire Council warning as scammers target £500 support for unpaid carers

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales
This article is old - Published: Thursday, Mar 31st, 2022

Flintshire Council is urging residents who are unpaid carers to be alert for a new scam.

Within days of Welsh Government announcing that more than 57,000 unpaid carers across Wales are to receive a £500 support payment, some residents have reported being contacted by individuals impersonating council officers who have asked for confidential banking details in order to process the payment.

A council spokesperson said: “Flintshire County Council has received information reports of unpaid carers who have been contacted by someone claiming to be from their local council, they mentioned a £500 carer payment and then asked for the individual’s bank details.”

“Please be aware that this is a scam and should be ignored.”

No one should hand over their banking details or any other confidential information to anyone who telephones, emails or cold-calls them with such demands.

Almost 2,400 unpaid carers across Flintshire will receive a £500 payment in recognition of the pivotal role they have played during the pandemic.

The payment is part of a £29m investment in unpaid carers from the Welsh Government and recognises the financial and emotional hardship many have experienced.

Unpaid carers who are receiving Carer’s Allowance on March 31st this year will be eligible for the payment.

An unpaid carer is someone who cares for a partner, relative or friend who has an illness of disability. Carers Allowance is paid to people caring for at least 35 hours a week, who care for someone receiving certain benefits and who earn no more than £128 a week.

Across Wales there are an estimated 57,130 people in receipt of Carers Allowance in Wales, 2,359 of which are in the Flintshire area.

Unpaid carers will be able to submit their claim to local authorities later this year.

Further details on how and when to register for the payment will be available shortly the Welsh Government has said.

Spotted something? Got a story? Send a Facebook Message | A direct message on Twitter | Email: [email protected] Latest News

  • Fireworks at Flint Castle raise crucial lifeboat funds
  • Nurse sets up volunteer-led stoma support group in Flintshire
  • New technology delivering care closer to home for North Wales patients

  • More...

    Fireworks at Flint Castle raise crucial lifeboat funds

    News

    Nurse sets up volunteer-led stoma support group in Flintshire

    News

    New technology delivering care closer to home for North Wales patients

    News

    Connah’s Quay: University of Chester billboard artwork about Wales’s highest mountain goes on display

    News

    Local MP Mark Tami honoured with lifetime award for stem cell advocacy

    News

    Online grooming crimes in Wales more than double since offence first came into force

    News

    Stay safe this Bonfire Night, urges Welsh Ambulance Service

    News

    Social media posts by leader of Welsh Conservatives ‘brought Senedd into disrepute’

    News

    Ombudsman for Wales urges councils to enhance support for unpaid carers

    News