EPF warns members of false messages, scams

KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has issued a warning to members of false messages and scams which have been circulating via the social media, short messaging service (SMS) and WhatsApp application.
In a statement today, EPF said, it had identified a false SMS message sent to members, claiming that their EPF accounts would be blocked within 24 hours, unless they contacted a given mobile phone number.
"Official messages from the EPF will display a five-digit shortcode as sender identification (ID), and the messages will not be sent to members from a personal mobile number," said the country's biggest pension fund.
EPF said there were syndicates or agents that had been actively promoting their services via social media, offering assistance to members wishing to withdraw their EPF savings in return for a fee.
It said there had been cases involving submission of falsified documents to facilitate the approval of withdrawals by these agents.
"EPF does not appoint or endorse any third party to facilitate members' application for withdrawals. Members who are eligible to make withdrawals from their accounts can deal directly with EPF free of charge," it said.
EPF has urged members to be cautious upon receiving any messages related to the EPF and not be misled by such false messages, and to refrain from calling the number on the SMS/ WhatsApp or dealing with the sender of the false message.
For clarification or further information, members may call the EPF Contact Management Centre at 03-89226000 or visit any EPF counters nationwide.
Members may also refer to EPF's responses to false information at this link: http://www.kwsp.gov.my/portal/en/web/kwsp/general/chain-emails.