How to stay scam-proof in 2025

05 Mar 2025

“It’s gone. Every fiver I’ve put aside. Every penny I’ve put in the piggy bank. Everything I’ve ever worked for!”

When Jean from Eastenders found out she’d been the victim of a pension scam, this was her reaction. It may seem like just another dramatic soap opera plot but, with pension scam fraudsters having stolen £17.7m from UK savers in 2023, it’s a sadly familiar story.

Four steps to help you stay scam-proof

We want you to know the signs of a potential scam and what to do if you suspect you’re being targeted. Here are four things to keep in mind.

• Be cautious. A legitimate financial adviser or pension provider will never contact you out of the blue. Be wary of cold calls, phishing emails and high-pressure sales tactics, such as limited time offers.
• Stay protected. Make sure you’re using strong passwords and keeping them confidential. Keep your devices and browsers up to date so that you have the latest software to guard against attacks.
• Know your pension. Understanding how your pension works will help you detect a suspicious offer. Generally, you can only take money from your pension if you’re age 55 or over (rising to age 57 from April 2028). You can find out more in the Booklets section of the website, where the details of your specific scheme can be found.
• Check the register. Always make sure you’re dealing with someone genuine. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) keeps a register of authorised advisers. Go to register.fca.org.uk to check it.

Your Scheme Administrator

Aon, the Scheme Administrator, has robust security measures in place to make sure that your details are kept safe and secure, including using a one-time passcode to access documents sent to you by email.

Using the Online portal is the most secure way to find out about information relating to your pension.

More support available

There are lots of organisations out there providing resources to help you stay scam-proof. If you really want to make sure your defences are rock-solid, why not take a look at their websites?

• The Pensions Regulator has produced some real-life case studies that show the devastating impact of pension scams. You might also want to watch the EastEnders storyline about pension scams.
• The National Cyber Security Centre is the UK’s independent authority on cyber security and can help you learn more about threats like email phishing attacks and malicious software.
• The Financial Conduct Authority maintains the ScamSmart website, which contains information about how to spot a scam and what to do if you’re suspicious.
• Action Fraud is the police website for reporting scams. This will make sure the situation is properly investigated and action taken to prevent other people from becoming victims.

We hope you – and your pension – will stay safe this year!