Women in the Waspi group duped by bogus compensation scheme
Warning Issued to Waspi Women Over Compensation Scams
Women's campaign group Waspi has urged its members to be vigilant against a surge in online scams aimed at stealing their personal information under the guise of state pension compensation. The group has reported a concerning increase in fraudulent websites claiming that the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has awarded compensation to Waspi women.
In some instances, women have unknowingly shared sensitive data, such as birth certificates and bank details, through fake online forms. This was reported by a woman from Derbyshire, who later realized she had been targeted by a scam.
Angela Madden, chair of Waspi, expressed her concerns, stating that the organization has received numerous inquiries from women misled by the deceptive websites. "Waspi women are vulnerable and hopeful, and these scammers cruelly exploit that vulnerability," Madden said.
She emphasized that any announcements regarding compensation will only come directly from the government. Madden urged Waspi women to remain cautious and refrain from disclosing personal information.
Should you find yourself in such a situation or believe you may be at risk, it's advisable to contact Action Fraud.
Waspi is a campaign for women born in the 1950s who were affected by changes to the state pension age, arguing they did not receive sufficient notice about these changes, leading some women to retire early before they legally could claim the state pension.
Last year, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) found faults in the DWP's communication regarding the state pension age changes, concluding that compensation should be provided to affected women. However, the government has yet to accept this recommendation, stating that a compensation scheme could not be justified.
One such fake website implied that the DWP would pay £3,000 in compensation to 3.8 million Waspi women, although no official announcement has been made to this effect.
Email scams have also targeted Waspi women, suggesting they are eligible for compensation and attempting to gather personal information. Another scam imitated financial journalist Martin Lewis' reputation, launching a fake "Martin Lewis WASPI calculator" intended to collect personal information.
Lewis highlighted the danger of these scams, stating they are often operated by organized criminal groups employing sophisticated tactics to obtain sensitive data. He recommends extreme caution when encountering such scams, especially on social media, and reminds the public that he does not endorse or allow ads using his name.
According to reports, more than £56 million was stolen by scammers in the first half of 2024 alone. With the increasing prevalence of online fraud, it's crucial to stay informed and vigilant, checking for poor spelling, grammar, and suspicious links before divulging personal details.
Independent Age provides a Scamwise guide, accessible online or available by calling their free helpline at 0800 319 6789.erra Republic 05/05/2025 10:38 am GMT+1
- In light of the surge in online scams posing as state pension compensation for Waspi women, it's essential for these individuals to exercise extreme caution when sharing personal financial information, particularly regarding bank details and birth certificates.
- With the rise in general-news concerning financial crimes, such as the scams aimed at Waspi women, staying informed about scam tactics and utilizing resources like Independent Age's Scamwise guide can help protect personal-finance and personal data from criminal exploitation.
