WASPI warns of ‘deeply worrying’ bogus State Pension compensation claim forms.

Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) has issued a warning to those affected by changes to the state pension age, urging them not to fall for a “deeply worrying” rise in fraudulent claim forms appearing online. WASPI noted that several unofficial websites have appeared recently falsely claiming that those affected by sudden increases in the State Pension age can claim up to £2,950 depending on their circumstances.

Participants identified these websites, which appear to be from outside the UK, to include ‘Savemytaxes’ and ‘Investbihar’. These sites claim that women born in the 1950s can secure payments by submitting compensation forms.

However, these websites have nothing to do with the compensation suggestions made by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) final report, which was published in March. The PHSO has proposed compensation equivalent to Level 4 on its band scale – between £1,000 and £2,950. This can lead some women to mistakenly believe that the scams are legitimate because the same figure is quoted on websites.

Any official announcement of a compensation scheme for WASPI women will only be made by the next UK government. Progress on a planned timetable to deliver any reparations has been delayed by the general election, the Daily Record reports.

Angela Madden, chair of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign, has expressed concern over the recent emergence of a number of dodgy websites which have prompted those affected by changes to the state pension age to provide information personal. She was quoted as saying: “It is deeply concerning that a number of web pages have appeared in recent days encouraging those affected by changes to the State Pension age to provide their personal details via fake application forms.”

She fears the rush for compensation could make the most vulnerable women susceptible to these scams, and blames the government’s delay for providing an opportunity for fraudsters. Madden expressed his concern, adding: “The need for compensation is so urgent that the most vulnerable women are most at risk and the government’s continued agitation now opens up a space for scammers to target them.”

Reiterating official sources of the announcement, she advised: “Any official announcement of compensation will be made by the UK Government. Anyone who has given their personal details to a potentially fraudulent website should contact Action Fraud.”

Madden is also advising people in Scotland who believe they may have been scammed to contact Police Scotland on 101. More than 3.6 million women born in the 1950s were caught out by improperly communicated increases to their state pension age by the UK government. Worst-case scenarios have seen those affected receive just 18 months’ notice of a six-year increase in state pension age.

As a result of this action, WASPI believes tens of thousands have fallen into poverty. Keen to secure fair and speedy compensation for the women affected, WASPI urged both Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to support their cause.