As the deadline for government pensioners in India to submit their Jeevan Pramaan certificates approaches, a worrying development has surfaced: scammers are targeting pensioners on WhatsApp. The Jeevan Pramaan certificate, a crucial document for pensioners to continue receiving their payments, must be submitted to authorized pension disbursing agencies like banks every year in November. Scammers, posing as government officials, are sending messages to pensioners on WhatsApp, requesting them to share personal information under the pretext of updating their Jeevan Pramaan certificates. These fraudulent messages often threaten that the pension will be discontinued unless the pensioners provide their personal information via a given link.
In response to these incidents, the government has issued a warning that official updates will not be sent through WhatsApp. Pensioners are advised to report any suspicious messages and to contact their bank or pension office directly for any queries. A spokesperson for the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) stated, “These messages are a deliberate attempt to steal personal information and potentially financial resources from unsuspecting pensioners.”
The Jeevan Pramaan certificate is a Life Certificate program for pensioners in India. It is essential for pensioners to have this certificate to continue receiving their payments. Scammers exploit this necessity by pretending to be government officials and sending threatening messages to pensioners. The government’s warning aims to protect pensioners from falling victim to these scams by encouraging them to remain cautious and verify the authenticity of any messages they receive.
The government has emphasized that WhatsApp or any other social media platform will never be used for official correspondence related to Jeevan Pramaan certificates. Pensioners are urged to take the following actions upon receiving such a message: avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unverified sources, report any suspicious messages to the police, and directly contact their bank or pension office for any queries. By taking these precautionary measures, pensioners can protect themselves from falling victim to these scams.
The targeting of pensioners by scammers on WhatsApp is a significant concern as the deadline for Jeevan Pramaan certificate submission approaches. The government’s swift response and the precautionary measures outlined can help protect pensioners from these malicious attempts. Staying cautious and reporting suspicious activities will ensure that pensioners continue to receive their rightful payments without falling prey to scams.
