The Indian government has issued a warning to pensioners about a fraudulent scheme circulating on WhatsApp. With the annual deadline for submitting the Jeevan Pramaan certificate approaching, fraudsters are targeting vulnerable individuals through the popular messaging platform.
What is the Jeevan Pramaan certificate?The Jeevan Pramaan certificate is a mandatory document required by pensioners to continue receiving their pension payments. Scammers are exploiting this by sending fake messages to pensioners, claiming their pension will be stopped unless they update their Jeevan Pramaan certificate or submit personal details through a provided link.
"These messages are a deliberate attempt to steal personal information and potentially financial resources from unsuspecting pensioners," a spokesperson for the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) stated.
How the Scam Works:- Pensioners receive messages on WhatsApp, often impersonating government officials.
- The message claims their pension is at risk due to an outdated Jeevan Pramaan certificate.
- The message includes a link or form requesting personal information like bank account details or PPO numbers.
- Once the information is submitted, scammers can use it for identity theft or financial fraud.
How to protecting yourself from the scam:The government emphasises that official communication regarding Jeevan Pramaan certificates will never be done through WhatsApp or any other social media platform. Pensioners are advised to follow these steps:
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