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Are You 73+? DWP Reveals Common Scams Aimed at State Pension Recipients

Every year, thousands of older pensioners lose life-changing sums to fraudsters pretending to be from the Department for Work and Pensions. People aged 73 and above are especially targeted because many receive the full State Pension, often have savings, and may be less familiar with modern digital tricks. The DWP has repeatedly highlighted that scammers are becoming bolder and more convincing. This guide explains the exact methods currently being used against UK seniors in 2025 and shows you how to protect yourself and your pension.

Why Pensioners Over 73 Are Prime Targets

Fraudsters view anyone over 73 as an ideal victim for several reasons. First, this age group is more likely to receive the full new State Pension or large protected payments under the old system. Second, many have built up modest savings or equity in their homes. Third, some pensioners live alone and welcome a friendly phone call, giving criminals the opportunity to build false trust. Official figures show that victims over 70 lose an average of £11,000 each when they fall for pension-related scams, far higher than younger age groups.

Fake “DWP Review” Phone Calls

One of the most common tactics in 2025 is the cold-call claiming your State Pension is being “reviewed” or “re-assessed”. The caller often knows your correct name, address, and National Insurance number (information easily bought on the dark web). They say you have been underpaid for years and are due a large lump-sum refund, or that new rules mean your pension will stop unless you act immediately. The aim is to panic or excite you into giving bank details or allowing remote access to your computer.

Bogus State Pension “Refund” Texts & Emails

A rapidly growing threat is the fake text message or email that appears to come from GOV.UK or the official Pension Service. The message claims HMRC or DWP has calculated you are owed a “pension back-payment” or “cost-of-living top-up” and invites you to click a link to claim it. The link leads to an almost-perfect copy of the official government website where you are asked to enter bank details or log in with Government Gateway credentials. Once entered, the money is drained within minutes.

The Cost-of-Living Payment Scam

Even though the £300 Winter Fuel Payment and cost-of-living top-ups are now means-tested, scammers still send letters, emails, and texts claiming pensioners over 73 automatically qualify for a new £650 or £800 emergency payment. Victims are asked to phone a premium-rate number or fill in an online form with personal and banking information. Many elderly recipients remember the genuine payments from previous years and do not question the new message.

Phishing Links Pretending to Be GOV.UK

Professional-looking emails with the subject line “Action.gov.uk – Action required on your pension” are sent in large numbers. The email contains the official GOV.UK logo and asks you to “verify your identity” or “update banking details for new triple-lock increase”. Hovering over the link reveals a strange web address ending in .co.uk, .ru, or random letters – never the real gov.uk domain. Clicking installs malware or takes you straight to a banking details capture page.

Scammers Posing as Bank or HMRC Staff

A more sophisticated version involves two callers working together. The first pretends to be from DWP and says there is a problem with your pension payment. They then “transfer you” to your bank or to HMRC to resolve it. In reality, the line stays open and a second fraudster pretends to be from your bank. They ask for one-time passcodes sent to your phone or request you read out the numbers shown on your banking card “for security”. With these details they can empty your account immediately.

How to Spot the Red Flags

Every genuine DWP or HMRC communication follows strict rules. Learn these simple warning signs:

• Unexpected calls demanding immediate action
• Requests for full bank account numbers, sort codes, or card details
• Pressure to transfer money to a “safe account”
• Links.gov.uk email addresses that are actually @gov-secure-online.co or similar
• Links that do not start with https://www.gov.uk/
• Threats that your pension will stop if you do not comply today

What the DWP Will NEVER Ask You

The Department for Work and Pensions has stated clearly what it will never do:

• Phone you out of the blue asking for bank details
• Ask you to transfer money to protect it
• Send unsolicited texts with clickable links
• Ask for your bank login passwords or one-time passcodes
• Demand payment or financial details to release a refund
• Give you a premium-rate phone number to call back

If you are contacted in any of these ways, it is 100 % a scam.

Steps to Take If You’re Contacted

Stay calm and follow this exact process:

1. End the call or do not click any link.
2. Wait five minutes (so the scammer’s line clears).
3. Phone the DWP on the official number printed on any genuine letter you have (0300 3300300 for pension matters) or use 0800 169 0310 (DWP fraud hotline).
4. If money has already left your account, phone your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card and ask them to activate their fraud procedure.

How to Report a Pension Scam Immediately

Reporting helps stop the criminals targeting others. Use any of these free channels:

• Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040
• Online at actionfraud.police.uk
• Call 159 to be connected directly to your bank’s fraud team if you are unsure
• Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (free service)
• Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk

Safe Ways to Check Your Real State Pension

Only use these official methods:

• Sign into your Personal Tax Account on the main GOV.UK website
• Call the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898 (lines open Monday–Friday 8am–6pm)
• Use the Check your State Pension forecast tool on GOV.UK
• Request a State Pension statement by post using the form on GOV.UK

All are free and never require you to give bank details over the phone.

Extra Help if You’ve Already Lost Money

If you have been a victim, you are not alone and help is available:

• Your bank must refund you under the Contingent Reimbursement Model Code if you were tricked into authorising a payment (most major banks signed up).
• Citizens Advice consumer helpline: 0808 223 1133
• Age UK offers free support and can accompany you to the bank
• The MoneyHelper Pension Wise service (0800 011 3797) provides guidance for the over-50s

Latest 2025 DWP Anti-Scam Measures

The DWP has introduced new safeguards this year:

• All genuine letters now carry a large coloured barcode that can be scanned with the official HMRC app to verify authenticity.
• Telephone systems now display “DWP Verified” on compatible handsets.
• A new joint bank-DWP project blocks suspicious payments in real time if keywords linked to known scams are detected.

How Family and Carers Can Help

Relatives play a vital role. Sit down with your older family member and:

• Add them to the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) to reduce cold calls
• Register their phone with a call-blocking device (many local councils offer them free to over-75s)
• Set up a “family password” – agree that any genuine caller from the family or bank will know the word
• Encourage mail redirection of pension letters to a trusted relative if confusion is common

Staying Safe in the Digital Age

Even if you do not use the internet yourself, scammers can still reach you by phone or post. Simple habits make a big difference:

• Never give financial details over the phone unless you made the call to a known number
• Let unknown calls go to voicemail
• Shred any documents containing personal details
• Consider a landline phone with built-in call screening

The Bottom Line for Everyone Over 73

The DWP has not suddenly stopped pensions or discovered mass refunds that require urgent phone calls. Any message creating panic or excitement about your State Pension is almost certainly fake. Genuine government departments work slowly through official letters using your correct details and never pressure you for bank information on the spot.

By recognising the tactics explained above, you can enjoy your retirement with complete peace of mind, knowing that your State Pension and savings are safe from the criminals who deliberately target British pensioners aged 73 and over.