Be Alert of this EPFO Scam!

The Mumbai regional office of EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) has issued a public warning against a man called 'Deepak Sharma, who is misusing a malfunction on Google Search. He digs out personal information like details about Aadhaar, Debit and PAN card from people.

The EPFO has also warned citizens not to share any personal details with any so-called EPFO official over the phone. Further clarifying the EPFO office never asks for these personal details over the phone or email for the purpose of processing any PF or pension-related services. " It has clearly notified the EPFO subscribers/members and pensioners to take a note that EPFO, Bandra 1, 2, 3, and 4 is not enquiring about any of the above-mentioned documents/information over the telephone or via email for the process of withdrawal from Provident Fund/Updation of KYC in Universal Account Number," says the EPFO notice.

EPFO claims, whenever someone searches for the EPFO contact details of Bandra office on Google search engine, the mobile number ‘09102195592’ is shown as the registered contact number. The notice also clarifies that this mobile number does not belong to any EPFO's Bandra office official. The Truecaller app tells that this mobile number belongs to someone named ‘Deepak Sharma’. When people contact this number, the person asks for details of Aadhaar, ATM and PAN card for ‘processing’ PF withdrawal/ updating, KYC and other requested services. The notice states categorically that this person is a fake imposter and is simply using EPFO’s name to extract personal data of naive citizens.

This protocol is applicable to all EPFO offices. Never share your personal details over the phone to any official, for any process.

The office has already filed a complaint at the Cyber Police Station, BKC, Mumbai and SI at Nirmal Nagar police station are already investigating the case.