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EPFO Scams: Fake Calls, WhatsApp Messages and Agents

By Kusum · Reviewed by Harish, Labour Consultant, Delhi on · Updated

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Independent guide by India Customer Care. We are not EPFO. Use only the official EPFO portals and the UMANG app for your account, and never share your password or OTP with anyone.

On this page
  1. Common scams
  2. If it happened to you
  3. Frequently asked questions
  4. Sources

EPFO never calls, texts or messages to ask for your password, OTP, Aadhaar, PAN or bank details, and never asks you to pay money to release or speed up your PF. Anyone who does is a scammer. If you shared an OTP or lost money, call 1930 at once.

Common scams

ScamSign
"Your PF claim is stuck, pay a fee"Any request for money
Fake "EPFO" WhatsApp or SMS linkAddress not ending in gov.in; asks you to log in
KYC update callAsks for OTP or to install AnyDesk or similar
"Pension increased, apply now"Asks for documents or a fee
Agent charging a percentageWants your password to "file for you"

If it happened to you

  1. Call 1930 and report at cybercrime.gov.in
  2. Tell your bank to block the account
  3. Change your UAN password
  4. Grievance to EPFO to watch for false claims

Report at cybercrime.gov.in, then raise a grievance on EPFiGMS. Genuine channels: official EPFO websites and numbers.

Frequently asked questions

Can someone withdraw my PF with just my UAN?

Not without your password or OTPs and verified KYC. That is why scammers try to get your OTP or install remote-access apps.

An agent offers faster settlement. Is that allowed?

EPFO services are free and EPFO has warned members against unauthorised agents. Most claims settle in days online.

Sources