EASTENDERS ANNOUNCES PENSION SCAM STORYLINE FOR JEAN SLATER

As Christmas approaches there will be devastation for Jean Slater as she discovers she’s the victim of an intricate pension scam.

EastEnders has worked with experts in the field including independent scams expert Nick Stapleton, The Pensions Regulator and Stop Scams UK on the storyline in which Jean is tricked into giving the money she’s accrued in a long-forgotten pension fund to scammers.

Tonight, Jean is distraught to discover the ‘financial advisors’ she’s trusted to invest her money are criminals who’ve targeted her and have stolen everything she has invested. The story – which is part of BBC’s Scam Safe initiative - will continue as Jean discovers more about the scammers and deals with the practical and emotional fallout of the crime.

EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw said of the storyline: “Jean’s story will highlight the extreme strategies scammers use to gain a victim’s trust to convince them into parting with serious sums of money. Not only will Jean have to cope with losing her pension money, but she’ll also have to deal with a range of difficult emotions as she tells her family and friends what’s happened.”

Nick Stapleton, scams expert and BBC Scam Safe spokesperson, said: “I am incredibly happy to see the issue of scams and fraud getting the attention it deserves with a storyline on one of the nation's favourite soaps. Scams are one of the greatest challenges of modern times; not just the money we lose to scammers as a country, but the emotional and psychological impact for those who go through one. It's high time we brought that fully into the mainstream and EastEnders is leading the way.”

Gaucho Rasmussen, Director of Regulatory Compliance at The Pensions Regulator, said: “Jean’s story highlights how ruthlessly scammers exploit the vulnerable. Sadly, this storyline is not just fiction. Action Fraud research shows that more than £17 million was reported lost to pension fraud in 2023, with the average victim losing more than £47,000...

"We are urging people to be on their guard against scammers by knowing the warning signs. Be aware of high-pressure tactics, offers of free pension reviews or promises that seem too good to be true. If you suspect a scam, report it to Action Fraud – it’s a vital step in stopping these criminals.”

James Masters, Head of Communications at Stop Scams UK, said: "At Stop Scams UK, we’re proud to have worked with EastEnders to highlight the devastating impact scams can have on people’s lives. Storylines like Jean’s are powerful tools for raising awareness and empowering the public to spot and avoid scams...

"By bringing these issues to life during BBC Scam Safe Week, EastEnders is playing a crucial role in helping to educate viewers and highlighting the importance of staying vigilant against scams."

EastEnders airs Monday-Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One.