Fake EPFO (Provident Fund) calls and apps

Callers using the PF office's name for claim-speeding fees, Aadhaar OTPs and pension upgrades. Learn the script and how to verify.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation manages provident fund accounts, pensions and insurance for salaried workers in India. Because many people use it, scammers pretend to be EPFO (Provident Fund) on phone calls, in apps and on WhatsApp. This page lists the lies they usually tell and how to check before you act.

Lines used in fake EPFO (Provident Fund) calls and apps

Caller says he is from the PF office and offers to speed up your claim for a fee
Fake agent asks you to read the OTP received for Aadhaar-based verification
Retired member gets a call asking for a life certificate through a WhatsApp link
Caller promises a higher pension for an advance payment to a personal account

How to verify it yourself

Use the Unified Member Portal at the EPFO website typed by hand, or the UMANG app, to see your passbook, claim status and KYC. Claims are filed online by you or through your employer and are not sped up by payments to individuals. Pension questions can be taken to your EPFO regional office in person. Do not share an Aadhaar OTP with a caller, and do not send passbook or ID photos on chat to unknown numbers.

Quick checklist

Do not tap links or call numbers inside the message.
Open the official app, or type the official website yourself, and look for the same notice.
Never share an OTP, PIN, CVV or password with anyone, including "staff".
If money moved, call 1930 and your bank at once.

How Safeavio helps

Safeavio Sentinel's phone scan lists apps outside a store, risky permissions and settings such as unknown sources, and the Money Shield checklist slows you down before you send money. It cannot stop a call, but it helps you spot a fake app afterwards.

Check it before you tap or pay

Safeavio Sentinel is a made-in-India Android app: paste a message or link, or scan a QR code, and get a plain verdict with the reasons. It helps you spot a scam; it does not promise to stop every one.

Download for Android What the app does

Google Play listing: coming soon. Today the signed APK is on safeavio.com/download. Android 7.0 or later.

Questions

A caller says they are from EPFO (Provident Fund). Is it real?

Treat it as unverified. Hang up and contact EPFO (Provident Fund) through its official app or the number printed on your card, bill or official website. Never install an app or share an OTP because a caller asked.

Can EPFO (Provident Fund) ask me to install an app on a call?

Be very careful. Scammers use screen-sharing and fake apps to watch your screen and read OTPs. Install apps only from the official store listing that you find yourself, never from a link or a caller.

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EPFO (Provident Fund) is a trademark of its owner. This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by EPFO (Provident Fund); it only describes how scammers pretend to be it.