How to avoid pension dashboard scams

Scammers may use fake dashboards to try to gain access to your pension, personal details and bank details. These tips can help you to be aware and protect yourself from scams.

Tips to help you avoid scams:

Use dashboards where you recognise the name of the provider – here are some we’re aware of (note this is not an exhaustive list).

• • MoneyHelper dashboard
  • xxx
  • xxx

Do not enter your bank account or card details into a pension dashboard for any reason. 

Dashboards use the GOV.UK One Login service to verify your identity and trace your pensions. Check the URL is GOV.UK before proceeding to verify your identity and provide your National Insurance number.

The service is completely free to use – if you are asked to pay to use the service it is not genuine.

Dashboards are for information only. You cannot directly use them to start paying more into your pension, taking your pension at retirement or transferring your pension. You also cannot update your details directly through a dashboard. A genuine dashboard will link you to your pension providers where you can take these actions.

Look out for common warning signs such as:

• Spelling mistakes
• Unusual web addresses – legitimate websites often have simple, easy-to-remember domain names that reflect the organization’s name.
• Poor quality imagery – especially logos

Check your links – if you click on a link to go to a provider make sure it has taken you to a genuine site, check the web address looks legitimate and that the quality of the site is as you would expect. If in doubt use a search engine to find the provider.

Beware of emails claiming to be from providers – providers will not email or call you asking you to resolve partial matches or provide bank details or payments.

Be careful if all your pensions are in payment – pensions in payment will not be shown on pension dashboards. If you know all your pensions are in payment, take extra care in following the tips above.