aegon genuine request for id OR potential scam

ashcottgill

I have a question regarding Aegon. I can see they are a genuine company, howver out of the blue I got a letter from them saying I had a pension with them even though I took what I thought was my full pension back in 2020. I have been in correspondence with them and they appear genuine if a bit slow to reply and now have a gorm from them regarding claiming a lump sum - this form has their old logo on it.

What is concerning is the amount of evidence I have to provide to claim my lump sum - passport or driving license, but also a hard copy (produced in branch and stamped by the bank) of a recent bank statement. This then needs be certified (solicitor doctor accountant teacher etc.).

is this reasonable  - it does feel like a possible scam for identity theft. anyone had anything similar? I have tried internet searches for identity theft without anything coming up for Aegon.

Marcon

ashcottgill said:

I have a question regarding Aegon. I can see they are a genuine company, howver out of the blue I got a letter from them saying I had a pension with them even though I took what I thought was my full pension back in 2020. I have been in correspondence with them and they appear genuine if a bit slow to reply and now have a gorm from them regarding claiming a lump sum - this form has their old logo on it.

What is concerning is the amount of evidence I have to provide to claim my lump sum - passport or driving license, but also a hard copy (produced in branch and stamped by the bank) of a recent bank statement. This then needs be certified (solicitor doctor accountant teacher etc.).

is this reasonable  - it does feel like a possible scam for identity theft. anyone had anything similar? I have tried internet searches for identity theft without anything coming up for Aegon.

Anything could be a scam, so you're wise to think before complying. But the same goes for Aegon: they need to be sure they are paying the right person.

I don't think the old logo is significant - see https://www.aegon.co.uk/support/somethings-changed

How/where are you being asked to send all this information - a physical postal address, an email, or a secure contact method?

MyRealNameToo

ashcottgill said:

I have a question regarding Aegon. I can see they are a genuine company, howver out of the blue I got a letter from them saying I had a pension with them even though I took what I thought was my full pension back in 2020. I have been in correspondence with them and they appear genuine if a bit slow to reply and now have a gorm from them regarding claiming a lump sum - this form has their old logo on it.

What is concerning is the amount of evidence I have to provide to claim my lump sum - passport or driving license, but also a hard copy (produced in branch and stamped by the bank) of a recent bank statement. This then needs be certified (solicitor doctor accountant teacher etc.).

is this reasonable  - it does feel like a possible scam for identity theft. anyone had anything similar? I have tried internet searches for identity theft without anything coming up for Aegon.

Would you be happy if they'd pay your pension over to anyone without checking they were actually you?

It's right to be sceptical if you can't remember having anything with them but they need to protect you too. There's been lots of consolidation and rebrands in the pensions/annuity space so it's possible it could have gone through many different companies over the years. 

What address is it stating to send the details to? It's easy enough to confirm if it's one of their legitimate offices or not. Whilst it's possible that someone has gone rogue in their post room I'd be much more suspicious of them asking me to post something to a residential address or a forwarding company etc. 

dunstonh

is this reasonable  

yes

it does feel like a possible scam for identity theft. anyone had anything similar? 

Yes people have had similar and is genuine.  And it also could be a possible scam.   We don't have enough to go on.

However, Aegon will be able to confirm it if you contact them on an independently verified telephone number. 

PensionsStuff

Whilst likely genuine the need for a hard copy of anything this day and age is shocking tbh

Marcon

PensionsStuff said:

Whilst likely genuine the need for a hard copy of anything this day and age is shocking tbh

So are the number of scams tbh.

westv

ashcottgill said:

What is concerning is the amount of evidence I have to provide to claim my lump sum - passport or driving license, but also a hard copy (produced in branch and stamped by the bank) of a recent bank statement. This then needs be certified (solicitor doctor accountant teacher etc.).

What's a bank branch?!

Marcon

westv said:

ashcottgill said:

What is concerning is the amount of evidence I have to provide to claim my lump sum - passport or driving license, but also a hard copy (produced in branch and stamped by the bank) of a recent bank statement. This then needs be certified (solicitor doctor accountant teacher etc.).

What's a bank branch?!

Somewhere you can find a money tree!

MeteredOut

dunstonh said:

is this reasonable  

yes

it does feel like a possible scam for identity theft. anyone had anything similar? 

Yes people have had similar and is genuine.  And it also could be a possible scam.   We don't have enough to go on.

However, Aegon will be able to confirm it if you contact them on an independently verified telephone number. 

This is always the first and only thing you should do to confirm identity if you have any doubt.

No-one here will be able to 100% confirm or deny it is a scam based on the details you've provided.

Cobbler_tone

westv said:

ashcottgill said:

What is concerning is the amount of evidence I have to provide to claim my lump sum - passport or driving license, but also a hard copy (produced in branch and stamped by the bank) of a recent bank statement. This then needs be certified (solicitor doctor accountant teacher etc.).

What's a bank branch?!

I think it is somewhere my dad goes every week to draw his state pension out in cash, before handing it to my mum for something called 'housekeeping'. It also saves my mum having to draw out any of her pension apparently.
They won't buy from anywhere that doesn't take cash, so could well be drug dealers.

dunstonh

PensionsStuff said:

Whilst likely genuine the need for a hard copy of anything this day and age is shocking tbh

Not necessarily.  Grant of Probates are probably the most commonly requested original document requested by providers due to the hologram. 

The thing to remember about Aegon though is that their software is clunky, they have multiple distribution channels using different software.   They are not cutting edge in any area.    They will get there and they will do the job, but it won't be at the same speed or using up-to-date tech.