Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has issued a strong warning to older women affected by state pension changes, cautioning them about fraudulent compensation websites targeting 1950s-born women. These bogus sites, pretending to offer compensation, are designed to steal personal information from vulnerable women, including their birth certificates and bank details.
The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign group has alerted its members to the growing problem. According to Waspi, some fraudulent websites are claiming that a compensation scheme has been announced for women affected by the state pension age changes, which left many in financial hardship after their retirement age was delayed. These scam sites often try to trick users into believing they are associated with Martin Lewis or MoneySavingExpert, where people are encouraged to share sensitive personal information.
Waspi received reports of one woman in Derbyshire who was asked to provide her birth certificate and bank details via an online form. It was only after providing this information that she realised it was part of a scam.
Martin Lewis, who founded the popular website MoneySavingExpert, has warned that these are not just random scams but potentially the work of criminal gangs using psychologically manipulative tactics to exploit vulnerable individuals. Lewis emphasised: “The word ‘scammers’ underplays the danger of what are often organised criminal gangs using sophisticated tactics to steal from people.”
He added: “Even if they’re not asking for money, they could be trying to gather personal information for use in further fraudulent activity.” He urged individuals to avoid clicking on suspicious links or advertisements, especially on social media, unless the source is verified and trustworthy. “Be incredibly careful. I don’t do adverts or allow anyone to use my name for endorsements. If you can’t find information on my site, MoneySavingExpert.com, and see it elsewhere, it’s very likely a scam,” Lewis concluded.
Angela Madden, the chairwoman of Waspi, expressed concern over the recent surge in fraudulent websites targeting their members. “Waspi has received dozens of queries from women following an alarming spike in fraudulent websites in recent days,” Madden said. “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.”
Madden advised those who may have fallen victim to these scams to contact Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre, or their bank, especially if they have shared any personal or financial information. She encouraged people to use the 159 service, a helpline designed to help victims of fraud contact their bank or building society safely.
Fran McSweeney, head of services at the charity Independent Age, also provided guidance on how to protect against such scams. She advised: “While scams can be very sophisticated, there are things people can do to protect themselves. 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. If what you’re told sounds unlikely or too good to be true, it probably is.”
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Waspi is actively campaigning for compensation for women affected by the state pension age changes, and they have sought a judicial review to force the Government to reconsider its decision to deny a compensation package. The group argues that the way the changes to the state pension age were communicated caused significant financial and emotional harm to thousands of women, leaving them unfairly disadvantaged in their retirement planning.
A report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PSHO) recommended that compensation of between £1,000 and £2,950 be paid to each woman affected. However, in December 2024, the Government rejected the idea of a blanket compensation scheme, which it stated could cost taxpayers up to £10.5 billion. The Government acknowledged the maladministration in the way the changes were communicated but insisted that a widespread compensation scheme was unjustifiable.
As the Government continues to resist calls for compensation, Martin Lewis’ warning serves as a stark reminder for vulnerable women to remain vigilant and cautious, particularly as the problem of fraudulent compensation websites continues to rise. With a growing number of victims reporting scams, the urgency to protect those affected by these scams has never been more critical.
