Money expert Martin Lewis and Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaigners have issued a fresh warning about a steep rise in fake compensation websites targeting women affected by state pension age changes.
Fraudsters are creating bogus sites claiming compensation is available for the 3.6 million women impacted by the Department for Work and Pensions' failure to properly inform them of increases to their State Pension age.
The scammers are requesting personal details from vulnerable 1950s-born women, despite no official compensation scheme currently existing.
Some of the fake websites falsely claim that "DWP announces £3,000 compensation for 3.8 million Waspi women" while others present themselves as a "Martin Lewis Waspi Calculator".
Scammers are targeting women impacted by the ongoing Waspi state pension compensation debate
GETTY / PA
At least one woman in Derbyshire reported being asked to provide copies of her birth certificate and bank details through an online form before realising it was a scam. Affected women have also received emails from bogus groups requesting sensitive information.
The Government apologised for its mistakes in December 2024 but has not established a compensation scheme.
MoneySavingExpert's founder warned: "The word scammers underplays the danger, of what are often organised criminal gangs using psychologically adept tactics to steal from people."
"All my information will always be on my site MoneySavingExpert.com so if you can't find it there, and see it elsewhere, it's very likely a scam."
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The Money Saving Expert is warning pensioners
ITV/THE MARTIN LEIWIS MONEY SHOW LIVE He urged people to be "incredibly careful" and avoid clicking links on social media unless from validated, trusted sources.
Waspi Chair Angela Madden said recent days had seen an "alarming spike" in the number of scams targeting vulnerable women.
"The need for compensation is so urgent that it is the most vulnerable women who are at risk from scammers. The behaviour of opportunists who seek to exploit them is nothing short of disgraceful," she said.
Madden emphasised that any announcement on compensation would "only ever come from the Government".
She advised that anyone who has shared sensitive information should contact Action Fraud. With a High Court challenge by Waspi campaigners currently in progress, opportunist scammers have seized on the uncertainty surrounding potential compensation.
Waspi has fielded dozens of queries from women following the emergence of these fraudulent websites. The organisation has made clear that no compensation scheme currently exists, despite the Government's apology in December.
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Waspi women protested outside Westminster last year
PAMinisters have repeatedly refused to establish a payment scheme for those affected by the pension age changes. The High Court challenge represents campaigners' ongoing battle for justice after years of fighting.
Fran McSweeney, Head of Services at Independent Age, offered practical advice for those targeted by scammers.
"Never be rushed into sharing personal details out of the blue and contact your bank if you think you've been tricked into revealing any of your banking details," she advised.
She suggested watching for unprofessional communication like bad spelling or grammar. Those seeking more information can access the Scamwise guide at independentage.org or call their free helpline on 0800 319 6789.
"The important thing to know is that support is available," McSweeney added.
