Martin Lewis issues WASPI compensation alert as he warns 'don't fall for it'

Fake websites may request personal details from older women or pretend they are connected with Martin Lewis

Martin Lewis has issued a warning to women impacted by the changes State Pension age who may fall victim to compensation scams

Fraudulent websites are claiming that compensation is available, campaigners from the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) group have said.

And personal finance guru Lewis is urging people to not fall for scams falsely offering people compensation over the change in State Pension age - which he says seems to be a new trend.

He says that even if the scammers are not asking for money, they may be trying to take your information as part of a wider fraud.

The warning comes as WASPI is seeking a judicial review to force the government to reconsider its decision to rule out a compensation package for women affected by the way changes to the State Pension age were communicated.

Mr. Lewis said: "The word scammers underplays the danger of what are often organised criminal gangs using psychologically adept tactics to steal from people.

"They leech on to anything they can find, and compensation over the change in State Pension age seems to be a new trend.

"Even if they're not asking for money, they could be trying to take your information as part of a wider fraud. Be incredibly careful, don't click advertising or other links on social media, unless it is from a validated trusted source.

"And to be very plain, I don't do adverts nor allow anyone to use my name for endorsements. 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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Fake websites may request personal details from 1950s-born women, make the false claim that a compensation scheme has been announced, or even try to give the impression that they are connected with Mr Lewis.

WASPI said that one woman in Derbyshire reported that she had been asked to provide copies of her birth certificate and bank details through an online form, before realising it was a scam.

Chairwoman of WASPI, Angela Madden said: “WASPI has fielded dozens of queries from women following an alarming spike in fraudulent websites appearing in recent days.

“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 suggested that people contact Action Fraud if they have shared sensitive information or feel they are at risk.

Those who are worried they may have been scammed should also contact their bank or building society. Many banks have signed up to the 159 service, which enables people who are worried about scams to get through to their provider on an easy-to-remember number.

Fran McSweeney, head of services at Independent Age, said: “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.”

A previous report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PSHO) suggested compensation ranging between £1,000 and £2,950 could be appropriate for each of those affected by how the changes to the State Pension age were communicated.

But in December 2024, the Government said that, while it accepted the ombudsman’s finding of maladministration and apologised for there being a delay in writing to 1950s-born women, a blanket compensation scheme, which could cost taxpayers up to £10.5 billion, cannot be justified.