Pause an unexpected pension approach
The FCA warns that pension scams can use promised high returns, pressure, unusual investments or complicated structures. An unexpected offer of a free pension review is a warning sign. Ignore unsolicited pension offers and use independent official help rather than advice supplied by the caller.
You do not need to finish a conversation to make an organising note. Keep the claimed firm name and date separately from any claim about a pension. A polished letter, logo or account screenshot does not establish who you are dealing with.
Check the firm and the relevant permission
The FCA Firm Checker helps consumers check whether a financial firm is authorised and has permission for the service being offered. It does not remove all risk or confirm that compensation or ombudsman protection will definitely apply.
Start from the FCA’s own website. Keep the scope of the check visible: a name found, the relevant permission checked and the identity of the person contacting you are different questions. Our provider directory is a contact reference, not an FCA authorisation check or a recommendation.
Sources: FCA: Firm Checker and its limits
Separate a tracing clue from a confirmed pension
Tracing is about identifying a scheme contact and confirming a member record. An offer to transfer, invest or release money is a different request. Keep those requests separate in your notes; a tracing enquiry should not be recorded as your agreement to a financial action.
If you are unsure about an approach, use a contact route independently reached from the official organisation’s website. Keep private reference numbers and identity documents out of public searches. All Pensions does not send tracing messages or verify an individual caller.
- Record the date and the organisation claimed.
- Distinguish what was requested from anything you have confirmed.
- Use official instructions for any private evidence you supply.
Be cautious about offers to unlock a pension
The FCA warns about early pension-release offers and their financial risks. Legitimate access questions, including scheme-specific exceptions, should be checked with the administrator and appropriate official guidance. Do not treat a promise from an unsolicited contact as confirmation of your rights.
The pension-access guide separates scheme dates, private pension access and State Pension age. It cannot approve an exception or validate a loan or transfer proposal. Keep a written answer from the scheme alongside the actual document it refers to.
Use current reporting and support routes
If you suspect a pension scam, follow the FCA’s official reporting guidance. Its page also points to the Information Commissioner’s Office for pension cold-call reports. Use the official page for current forms and contact information.
Keep a short private chronology of the approach and any actions you took. This site cannot investigate a fraud, recover money or submit a report for you. Do not wait for our content review process if you need help with a suspected scam; use the relevant official organisation directly.
Sources & review
- FCA: Pension scam warning signs and reportingChecked 2026-10-04
- FCA: Firm Checker and its limitsChecked 2026-10-04
Next scheduled review: 2027-01-04. Provider details can change sooner. Use the official website for the current contact route.
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