A warning has been issued by Citizens Advice Maidstone regarding pension scams.

Over 55s are reportedly being contacted repeatedly with cold-calls and emails which result in fraudulent activity.

A number of Citizens Advice staff and volunteers, from the area, took part in a survey, finding that people are most likely to be contact over the phone first.

The full survey of more than 460 local Citizens Advice managers, staff, volunteers and Pension Wise guiders also finds that people are most likely to be contacted by cold call, followed by email.

It also found that four in five said people were contacted by phone call, and then one in three by email.

Half of all local Citizens Advice pension workers think that pension scams are evolving into investment scams, targeting the cash lump sums people can release from their pension pots.

A further third of staff from across the service think that scams targeting the over 55s have increased.

Emerging scams include unspecified financial products, where people are asked to give callers access to their pension pots, when they would in turn invest their finances for them, offering a high rate of return.

Examples also included free pension 'reviews', where texts or phone calls with the offer of a free review from somebody claiming to be an independent financial adviser.

Bonny Malhotra, chief executive at Citizens Advice Maidstone said: “Pension scams threaten people’s financial security.

"Scammers are finding new ways to go after people’s pension pots including offering free pension reviews and promising to invest funds that don’t necessarily exist."

“If you’ve had an offer or signed up to a pension scheme you’re unsure about, I urge you to contact Citizens Advice Maidstone where our staff can offer free help and support.”

Citizens Advice Maidstone is a Pension Wise delivery centre where people can access free guidance sessions.

If you think you may have been scammed you can contact Citizens Advice Maidstone on 01622 752420.