Fraudsters Target Pensioners : How to Protect Yourself from WhatsApp Scam That Could Cost You Your Pension ?

It is informed that Fraudsters Target Pensioners by impersonating officials from the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO), Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi, and contacting pensioners. These scammers are sending forms via WhatsApp, claiming that failure to fill them out will result in stoppage of pension payments for next month.

How to Protect Yourself from WhatsApp Scams That Could Cost You Your Pension ?

Fraudsters are increasingly targeting pensioners by impersonating officials from the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) based in Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi. These scammers contact pensioners via WhatsApp, sending fake forms and threatening that if they fail to fill them out, their pension payments for the next month will be stopped. This alarming tactic is designed to trick pensioners into sharing sensitive personal information.

Fraudsters Target Pensioners – How to Stay Safe

Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Messages: If you receive a message from someone claiming to be from the CPAO or any other government agency, verify the authenticity before taking any action. Government agencies typically do not request personal information through informal channels like WhatsApp.

Do Not Share Personal Information: Never share your Pension Payment Order (PPO) number, date of birth, bank account details, or any other sensitive information with anyone through WhatsApp or any other messaging platform.

Contact Authorities Directly: If you have any doubts or receive suspicious messages, contact the CPAO or your bank directly using official contact details. Do not rely on the contact information provided in the suspicious message.

Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about common scams targeting pensioners. Share this information with other pensioners in your community to help them avoid falling victim to these scams.

Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter a scam, report it to the relevant authorities immediately. This can help prevent others from being targeted.

Important Reminder

The CPAO, banks, and other government agencies will never request your personal information, such as your PPO number, date of birth, or bank account details, through WhatsApp or any other unofficial channels. Always remain cautious and protect your personal information to ensure your pension is secure.

This notice serves as a reminder to all Central Pension Processing Centres (CPPCs) to inform pensioners to be vigilant and not fall victim to these scams.

CPAO Office Memorandum regarding alert to Pensioners

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE
TRIKOOT-II, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE,
NEW DELHI-110066

CPAO/IT&Tech/Bank Performance/37 Vol(iv)/2024-25/64-76/53

Dated: 02.08.2024

Office Memorandum

Subject: To safeguard the interest of pensioners from fraudsters-reg.

It was earlier requested to Heads of all the CPPCs via e-mail dated 21.06.2024 to alert all the pensioners to be cautious from fraudsters and their forgery activities. In this regard, it is informed that fraudsters are impersonating officials from the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO), Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi, and contacting pensioners. These scammers are sending forms via WhatsApp, claiming that failure to fill them out will result in stoppage of pension payments for next month. And believing it as a genuine call, our innocent pensioners/family pensioners fall into the trap of fraudsters.

2.Hence it is again solicited to all the CPPCs to inform all the pensioners to be cautious and not fall victim to these scams and to guide them not to share their personal information, including their PPO number, Date of Birth, and Bank Account details with anyone. Moreover, CPAO, Banks and other Government agencies will never request such information from pensioners.

3.It is, therefore, requested to take necessary action at your end for saving valuable pensioners from such fraudsters and their forgery activities.

(Sh. Vaibhav Chandrakant Ghalme)
Controller of Accounts (CPAO)

To,

GMs/DGMs of CPPCs of all Authorised Banks

View/Download the CPAO OM dated 2.8.2024 pdf