TL;DR: Pensioners rely on predictable payments and are targeted through calls about pension issues. Remember banks and pension offices never ask for an OTP over the phone, and verify any claim about your pension only by visiting the branch or calling the official number on your passbook.
Pensioners rely on predictable payments and are targeted through calls about pension issues.
Common Tactics Used
Callers impersonating bank or pension office staff claim a pension has been 'stopped' or a life certificate has failed verification, pressuring the pensioner to share an OTP or visit an ATM to 'reactivate' payments.
How to Protect Against It
Remember banks and pension offices never ask for an OTP over the phone, and verify any claim about your pension only by visiting the branch or calling the official number on your passbook.
What Family and Friends Can Do
Sudden secrecy about money, unusual withdrawals, or a new online relationship that stays undisclosed are all worth a calm, judgment-free conversation. The earlier a scam is caught, the more can usually be recovered.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Scams Targeting Rural and Semi-Urban Users.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see Scams Targeting Small Business Owners in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are they specifically targeted?
Pensioners rely on predictable payments and are targeted through calls about pension issues.
What tactics do scammers use?
Callers impersonating bank or pension office staff claim a pension has been 'stopped' or a life certificate has failed verification, pressuring the pensioner to share an OTP or visit an ATM to 'reactivate' payments.
How can they protect themselves?
Remember banks and pension offices never ask for an OTP over the phone, and verify any claim about your pension only by visiting the branch or calling the official number on your passbook.
What should family or friends watch for?
Sudden secrecy about money or new online relationships, unusual withdrawals or wire transfers, and reluctance to discuss a new "opportunity" or contact in detail are all worth a gentle, non-judgmental conversation.
What should I do if I think this has already happened?
Stop all contact and payments immediately, report it to the appropriate authority, and contact the bank or payment provider involved to see what can be recovered.