How to protect yourself


To help protect yourself, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and The Pensions Regulator recommend the following:

Step 1 – Reject unexpected offers
If you are contacted out of the blue about a pension opportunity, treat it with caution. Cold calling about pensions is illegal, and unsolicited offers, including "free pension reviews", are often a sign of a scam.

Step 2 – Check who you're dealing with
Always check that anyone offering advice or investment opportunities is authorised by the FCA:

If you deal with a firm that is not authorised, you may not be protected by the Financial Ombudsman Service or Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Step 3 – Don't be rushed or pressured
Legitimate advisers will give you time to make an informed decision. Be wary of time-limited offers or pressure to act quickly.

Step 4 – Get impartial information or advice
Before making changes to your pension, consider seeking independent financial advice.

You can get free, impartial guidance from MoneyHelper: