EastEnders’ Jean Slater’s pension scam storyline is exactly what the soaps should be doing – forget serial killers
EASTENDERS has hit the nail on the head with Jean Slater’s scam storyline.
The cleaner – who is played by the incredibly talented actress Gillian Wright in the BBC soap – will soon discover that she’s fallen for a scam that has taken her life savings and her pension from her.
As someone who checks the progress of my pension on almost weekly basis just to check I’m on track (what can I say? Poverty doesn’t agree with me) this story is essential viewing and exactly what soaps should be doing.
Yes, it’s all very well ‘raising awareness’ of a little-known disease, or having a big devastating stunt – they give everyone involved the chance to weep and wail their way to soap awards victory – but this grounded, realistic story is the bread and butter of soaps.
At the heart of it you’ve got an ordinary person being scammed out of her life savings – and who can’t relate to that?
I’m terrified as it is for friends who are in their 30s and 40s who still haven’t got a pension – but I’m even more worried about older friends and family who don’t actively take an interest in their retirement planning.
I can only imagine how easy it would be for fraudsters to convince them to farm out their investments and let them ‘take care’ of everything.
The price of falling for these scams is far too high a one to pay.
And it’s not just financial.
As Jean’s story shows, she’s lost her future.
Her planned life in Greece in a villa with a pool – though quite how a part-time cleaner could afford that to begin with is beyond me.
But the reality is that she’s lost her dream – her reason for going on.
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.
Now she’s going to be stuck in Walford for the rest of her life, poverty-stricken and suffering just waiting for the next serial killer to take her out.
Truly, a fate worse than death.