The treatment of victims by government bodies, specifically the Post Office and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), in the context of pension scams, highlights alarming similarities. Both sets of victims have experienced systemic failures and injustices at the hands of these authorities.

The Post Office scandal involves sub-postmasters who were wrongfully accused of theft, leading to wrongful convictions and financial ruin. These individuals were unjustly held accountable for discrepancies in the Horizon IT system, which was later revealed to be faulty. Despite evidence pointing to their innocence, the Post Office aggressively pursued legal action against them. This has led to immense personal and financial hardship for the victims.

Similarly, investment scam victims have faced a lack of adequate support and accountability from HMRC. Many individuals have fallen victim to unscrupulous advisors only to lose their life savings and pensions. HMRC’s response to these scams has been criticised for being morally bankrupt and in breach of their own Charter, because HMRC hounds innocent victims of financial crimes for tax liabilities created through the person becoming an innocent victim.

Overall, the parallels between the treatment of victims by the Post Office and HMRC underscore systemic issues within government bodies. Both instances reveal a failure to prioritise the well-being and rights of individuals, leaving innocent victims to suffer the consequences of bureaucratic negligence and indifference. Efforts to address these injustices must involve accountability, reform, and restitution for those affected.