Cybercriminals target pensioners with fake life certificate calls
HYDERABAD: Cybercriminals have found a new target retired employees dependent on pensions. Fraudsters posing as pension office staff are duping senior citizens by asking for their personal and banking details under the pretext of “life certificate” verification.
Life certificate fraud hits pensioners across states
Prasada Rao, a retired Health Department employee, had around ₹50 lakh in his bank account after retirement. One day, he received a call from a person claiming to be from the pension office. The caller said Rao’s life certificate needed updating or his next month’s pension would be stopped. Believing the caller, who quoted accurate personal details, Rao shared his bank account number, PIN, and OTP. Days later, he discovered that his account had been emptied.
Retirees easy targets due to low digital awareness
Cybercrime units say senior citizens are increasingly being targeted because many lack awareness of online banking safety. Pensioners must regularly submit life certificates to continue receiving payments, and fraudsters are exploiting this process. They collect basic details such as name and bank account, then call victims pretending to be government or bank officials.
How the scam works
• Fraudsters gather pensioners’ names and bank details.
• They call victims claiming to be from the pension office or a bank, warning that the pension will be stopped if the life certificate isn’t updated.
• Once trust is gained, they ask for sensitive details like date of birth, debit card PIN, and OTP.
• While keeping the victim on the line, they change the registered phone number linked to the bank account and drain the funds.
• Since the registered number is altered, transaction alerts never reach the victim.
Police said most such calls originate from northern states, though similar incidents are now being reported in Telangana. They have urged pensioners not to share personal or banking information over calls. Any fraud should be reported immediately to the cybercrime helpline 1930.
