Scams

If something sounds too good to be true or doesn’t feel right in the moment, then it could be a scam. 

Create strong passwords/passphrases to protect your accounts.

Never reuse the same password and try not to include information others might be able to guess or find out easily, such as a family member or pet’s name.

Keep your devices secure by enabling the screen lock and passcode and installing software updates as soon as they become available. You can also use multi-factor authentication as a second line of defence.

Never give away your password or any passcodes or pin numbers. Your bank or pension scheme will never ask for this, even if you want to move money from one account or scheme to another.

Be wary of any requests for personal details or bank accounts, particularly if you are asked to follow a link to fill it in. If in doubt, contact your provider direct to verify that what you have been sent is authentic.

A government ban on cold calling regarding pensions came into force in January 2019. You should hang up if you receive any unsolicited marketing calls about your pension.

Reject any unexpected calls, emails, texts or social media approaches about pensions. Don't take financial advice from anyone that has contacted you out of the blue. 

• Spelling errors
• Poor grammar
• Messages with generic and non-personal greetings such as ‘Dear Customer’ or ‘Dear Member’
• Random numbers in the sender’s email address
• Asking you for personal details or to click a link with very little context
• Random messages you were not expecting, such as an email saying you have won a competition you cannot remember entering or a text message saying you missed a delivery you were not waiting for

• Do not be fooled by slick-looking brochures and websites - anyone can pay for a professional-looking one. 
• Check all the contact details and accreditation you see there. If there are none, then it's probably a scam. 
• Also remember to look for a padlock in your browser address bar to confirm your web connection is secure.

• Scammers are clever, and they can make their contact numbers look like ones you would usually trust.
• A scammer’s message might even appear in a conversation with legitimate texts you have already received. If you are suspicious, avoid clicking links in text messages.
• Check who you are speaking to by contacting the company directly. Do not use the numbers or addresses in the message, use the details from their official app or website instead.

• If you get an email, double check the email address to see exactly who it has come from. 
• While it might seem legitimate, if it is a scam, the email address the message has come from might not match up with the sender’s name. 
• You should also check the address for subtle misspellings, additional characters, or other irregularities.

• Think about how you use social media – only connect with people you know and keep important information private. 
• The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has guides for setting privacy controls on the biggest social media platforms. Visit www.ncsc.gov.uk

• Final Salary members – transfers and scams 
• RBP members – transfers and scams
• UPP members – transfers and scams 

• Study the details of any transfer carefully
• See if the deal is a known scam at www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart
• Visit MoneyHelper.org.uk or call MoneyHelper's Pension Helpline on 0800 011 3797 to learn about your retirement options
• Take advice from an independent financial adviser (IFA). You can find IFAs in your local area at www.unbiased.co.uk
• Check the adviser is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority at www.FCA.org.uk/register - this is particularly important if the person contacting you to offer a transfer is claiming to be an adviser themselves.