Readers respond to 45% increase in pension scams Data from Action Fraud shows a steady fall in pension scam reports from 1,788 in 2014 to 358 in 2020 – a reduction of almost 80 per cent. However, there has been an increase in reporting so far this year, with 107 reports of pension fraud received in the first three months of 2021. This is an increase of almost 45 per cent when compared to the same period in 2020. Pension loss can have a devastating impact on victims as they often lose their life savings from the scams. Cumbrian authorities have issued a series of warnings and advice on what to look out for and how to deal with potential scam threats.