EastEnders’ Jean Slater loses everything in heartbreaking pension scam storyline
EASTENDERS’ Jean Slater is set for a miserable Christmas after realising she’s lost everything to scammers.
The cleaner – who is played by actress Gillian Wright in the BBC soap – has been seen investing her life savings and pension with a cold calling operation.
But she will soon discover that they are scammers who have taken everything from her.
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.
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 explained: “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, added: “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, added: “At Stop Scams UK, we’re proud to have worked with EastEnders to highlight the devastating impact scams can have on people’s lives.
How to protect yourself from an investment scam
TO avoid falling victim to investment scams, you need to remain vigilant when making investment decisions.
- Reject unsolicited investment offers, whether made online, on social media, or over the phone.
- Before investing, check the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Register to see if the firm or individual you are dealing with is authorised. Also check the FCA Warning List of firms to avoid.
- If in doubt, steer well clear.
- Get impartial advice before investing.
Signs that should set the alarm bells ringing include:
- Unexpected contact – while you may be on your guard for cold callers, you now need to be alert to contact out of the blue from all sorts of online sources, such as email or social media. The same applies to contact you may get through the post, via word of mouth, or even in person at a seminar or exhibition.
- Time pressure – beware if someone offers you a bonus or discount if you invest before a set date or says the opportunity is only available for a short period.
- Social proof – keep an eye out for fake reviews and claims that other clients have invested, or want in on the deal.
- Unrealistic returns – watch out for fraudsters promising tempting returns that sound too good to be true, such as much better interest rates than elsewhere.
- False authority – don’t get tricked by convincing literature and websites, or investments which claim to be regulated. Also be wary of someone speaking with authority on investment products.
- Flattery – be on your guard if someone tries to build a friendship with you. They may be trying to lull you into a false sense of security.
“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.”