My elderly parent keeps getting calls about 'unclaimed pension credit' - how do I help them tell if it's real?
Help them avoid discussing or confirming personal details on unsolicited calls, and instead check pension credit or similar top-up entitlement directly through the official government website or a trusted advisor together.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Explanation
Older people are frequently targeted with calls about 'unclaimed' pension credit, low-income top-ups, or similar means-tested support, because these programs genuinely exist and are known to be under-claimed, which makes the pretext believable. Scammers exploit this by calling to say they can help 'process' a claim, often asking for bank details, a one-off fee, or remote access to a device to 'submit the application' for the person.
Genuine pension credit or similar low-income support applications are made directly with the government agency, by phone, post, or online, entirely free of charge, and do not require a third-party caller's help or payment. If your parent is potentially eligible, the safest approach is to sit down with them and check eligibility directly on the official government website or by calling the agency's own published number, rather than proceeding with any unsolicited caller.
It's also worth talking to older relatives generally about this specific pattern - a caller referencing a real, well-known benefit to sound credible - so they feel comfortable hanging up on unsolicited calls about entitlements without feeling rude or worried about missing out on money they're owed.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call about 'unclaimed' pension credit or similar entitlement
- Asks for bank details or a fee to 'process' the application
- Requests remote access to the person's computer or phone
- Creates urgency about a limited window to claim
- Caller discourages checking with family or calling the agency back independently
- Repeated calls if the first one didn't succeed
What to do now
- Encourage your parent to hang up on unsolicited calls about benefits and check independently
- Sit down together and check eligibility on the official government website or by calling the agency directly
- Never share bank details or pay a fee to an unsolicited caller for this purpose
- Set up call-blocking or nuisance-call screening on their phone if calls are frequent
- Report repeated scam calls to your national fraud or nuisance-call reporting service
- Check in periodically about any new calls they've received
Frequently asked questions
Is pension credit or similar low-income top-up support real?
Yes, these programs genuinely exist in many countries and are often under-claimed, which is exactly why scammers use them as a believable pretext.
How can my parent apply if they really are eligible?
Directly through the official government website or by calling the agency's published number - there's no cost and no need for a third-party caller's help.