CPAO further said, “We request all the pensioners not to fall prey to this scam, never ask for PPO number, date of birth and bank account information from anyone, do not ask for such information from pensioners.”
assam police alert
Assam Police has also recently warned people about fraud targeting pensioners in the state. According to the police, fraudsters, posing as treasury officers, are contacting retired employees and falsely claiming that their pension is about to be stopped.
In response to these scams, authorities have appealed to citizens not to engage with these suspicious calls and block such phone numbers. Always check any pension related information with the relevant government agency.
Safety steps for pensioners
CPAO has also given some important suggestions to pensioners to avoid fraud-
-Verify the source: Check the authorization of any call or email directly from the agency or bank.
-Avoid haste: Fraudsters often tempt pensioners into making hasty decisions. Verify information and consult a trusted person or financial advisor before taking any action.
-Report suspicious activity: If you suspect a scam, immediately report it to CPAO, banks and local law enforcement agencies.
-In August 2024, CPAO directed all Central Pension Processing Centers (CPPC) to take necessary steps to sensitize pensioners and protect them from this fraud.