Door-to-door scammers targeting LIHEAP recipients, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services says
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is warning people about a door-to-door scam targeting LIHEAP recipients.
DHS says scammers are knocking on doors and asking people to see their bills to ensure they're receiving the correct assistance.
"If you have received unsolicited visits asking you about your LIHEAP benefits and for your personal information, it is a scam. Do not respond so you do not fall victim to identity theft, and please inform the DHS fraud tip line immediately," said Acting Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Meg Snead said in a statement.
DHS says LIHEAP is distributed directly to a household's utility company or home heating fuel provider in the form of a grant and neither DHS nor utility companies will solicit LIHEAP information from people in this way.
If you think you've been a victim of this scam, you can report it to the DHS fraud tipline at 1-844-347-8477.
How to apply for LIHEAP
The 2022-2023 season is not yet open, but pre-season applications have started to be mailed out to previous LIHEAP recipients who will be able to submit the application via COMPASS or with a pre-season paper application.
The regular season opens Nov. 1, 2022, and runs through April 28, 2023.
DHS says it will publicize information on the benefit amounts closer to the opening of the LIHEAP season.