What this checker does
Our pension scam checklist explains the exact red flags that regulators and consumer bodies ask you to look for before making any pension decision, scored simply so you can see at a glance how risky an approach looks. It walks through how scam scoring works, a realistic worked example, and what to do if something you've been offered ticks too many boxes.
With four of the five major red flags present, this scenario scores very highly as a likely scam, even though it doesn't involve illegal early access. In real cases matching this pattern, victims have lost their entire pension pots, sometimes tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds, with little to no chance of recovering the money afterwards.
What your result means
If something you've been offered scores two or more red flags on this checklist, treat that as a serious warning sign, not a coincidence. The right response isn't necessarily to refuse outright, but to slow down: hang up or stop replying, check the firm and any individual adviser on the FCA register, and get a second opinion from a source you found yourself, such as MoneyHelper, rather than a number or link the caller gave you. Genuine advisers and pension schemes never object to you taking time to check things properly — reluctance to let you pause and verify is itself one of the strongest warning signs of all.
Common mistakes and things people forget
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1
Trusting a firm because its website or paperwork looks professional — convincing branding is easy to fake and proves nothing about legitimacy.
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2
Checking a firm's FCA registration using a phone number or link provided by the firm itself, rather than searching independently.
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3
Assuming a scam always looks obviously "too good to be true" — some offers are pitched at plausible-sounding, only slightly enhanced returns.
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4
Not telling family or a trusted person before making a big decision, which removes a valuable independent sanity check.
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5
Believing that because you're financially savvy, you're immune — scam victims include experienced investors and even financial professionals.
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6
Feeling too embarrassed to report a near-miss or an actual loss — reporting helps regulators warn and protect others.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check if a firm is legitimate?
Search for the firm independently on the Financial Conduct Authority register using a number or website you found yourself, never one supplied by the firm, since scammers sometimes set up fake "clone firm" contact details.
Is it ever legal to access my pension before 55?
Almost never. Very limited exceptions exist, such as serious ill health, but for the vast majority of people, any offer of early access before the minimum pension age is a strong sign of a scam and can trigger a large unauthorised payment tax charge.
What should I do if I think I've been targeted?
Stop all contact, don't transfer anything, and report it to Action Fraud and the FCA. If you've already transferred money, contact your pension provider and the police as soon as possible.
Are cold calls about pensions even legal?
No, cold calling about pensions has been banned in the UK since 2019, with limited exceptions for regulated firms with an existing relationship with you. An unsolicited pension call is itself a red flag.
Can I get my money back if I've been scammed?
It's often very difficult, and recovery isn't guaranteed, which is exactly why prevention through recognising the warning signs matters so much. Report promptly, since faster reporting sometimes improves the chance of recovering funds.
Want the full checklist and how to report a suspected scam? Read our guide: Pension scam checklist and reporting guide.
Please remember: this checklist gives general guidance and illustrative scoring only, not personalised advice about a specific offer. If you're at all unsure, check independently with the FCA register or MoneyHelper (moneyhelper.org.uk), or GOV.UK, before taking any action.
A lower-scoring example that's still worth checking
Not every risky situation ticks four or five boxes, and it's worth understanding what a lower, but still meaningful, score looks like. Consider Diane, 63, who attends a free seminar she signed up for herself about "maximising your pension in retirement". At the seminar, an adviser suggests moving part of her pension into a fund investing in renewable energy infrastructure, quoting a target (not guaranteed) return of 7% a year, with no particular urgency to decide and an invitation to take the paperwork away and think it over.