Thousands suffer mental health problems after pension scams
THOUSANDS of people suffer mental health problems after falling victim to pension scams - but they are being failed, MPs warned yesterday.
PMQs: Johnson says UK ‘must be vigilant’ for pension scams
The Work and Pensions Select Committee said fraudsters can devastate savings and destroy plans for later life, leading to anxiety and depression. In a report the committee recommends the “creation of a strategy to ensure all pension scam victims are offered, and encouraged to take, support for both the financial harm and psychological distress”.
The Government says victims should use the MoneyHelper website.
But campaigners say the site does not go far enough to help people who may even feel suicidal.
Sarah Stokes, of Pension Claim Consulting, believes the problem is far worse than acknowledged after talking to victims.
She said: “A large number have suffered some form of mental distress. More than one has told me they considered suicide. I’ve been calling for an investigation to capture the full extent of the mental health issue, which I believe is a crisis.”