Fake WASPI women compensation websites resurge in October, harvesting birth certificates and bank details

What is this scam?

Fraudsters running fake WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) compensation websites have resurged in October 2026, exploiting ongoing public confusion about whether a government compensation scheme exists. Fraudulent sites falsely claim the DWP is paying lump-sum compensation of £2,000–£3,500 to women born in the 1950s affected by state pension age changes, and ask victims to submit personal documents — including birth certificates, National Insurance numbers, and bank account details — to process the payment. No government WASPI compensation scheme has been announced; any genuine scheme would be communicated directly by the DWP through official government channels and would never ask women to submit documents through a third-party website.

Example scam message

Red flags to look out for

• The message creates urgency — threatening a fine, missed delivery, or account closure.
• Links lead to unofficial domains that don't match the real company's website.
• You weren't expecting this message and can't verify the event it references.
• It asks you to confirm payment details or personal information via a link.
• The sender's number or email address doesn't match the company's official contact.

What to do if you receive this

1. Do not click links or call numbers provided in the message.
2. Contact the organisation directly using details from their official GOV.UK page.
3. Forward the message to 7726 or email report@phishing.gov.uk.
4. Report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.