Fraudsters revised their strategy to manipulate pension calculations, as reported by VTB.
In a recent alert, VTB Vice President Dmitry Revyakin has revealed a cunning scam targeting pensioners, exploiting their trust in state institutions and fear for their savings. The scam, which involves impersonating postal employees or law enforcement officers, has been devised as a multi-step scheme.
The scam typically begins with a contact from the fraudsters, posing as representatives of official organisations such as the Russian Post or even fake law enforcement officers. They claim they need to conduct a "pension recalculation," aiming to gain the pensioner's trust.
Scammers then try to pressure pensioners into cooperating by demanding money or personal information, often under the pretence of legal or administrative procedures related to pensions. It is crucial to remember that legitimate pension recalculations are not usually communicated via unsolicited phone calls or door-to-door visits. Official agencies do not request money or confidential data over the phone or through couriers.
To help identify and protect yourself from this scam, be highly suspicious if the person insists on immediate payment or personal information, especially when claiming to be from the postal service or law enforcement but without proper identification. If you find yourself in such a situation, always verify the identity of the person by independently calling the official organisation they claim to represent.
Moreover, do not share personal or financial information with unknown callers. If you receive requests related to pension matters, consult directly with the official pension fund or post office before taking any actions. In case of suspicious contacts, report them immediately to your bank, the police, or consumer protection services.
Revyakin also emphasized that neither the FSB nor any other state body will ever ask for money to be transferred over the phone to protect it. The scam continues with a call from someone claiming to be from the FSB, further intensifying the pensioner's fear and urging them to transfer the money to a "special account" to "protect" it.
This scam, which involves scammers posing as law enforcement officials to extort large sums from pensioners under the guise of "protecting savings," highlights the importance of vigilance, verification, and refusal to give out personal information. By staying aware and following these essential protection measures, you can help safeguard yourself from falling victim to such scams.
- Such scams, mimicking law enforcement officials and demanding money for supposed pension protections, have been reported in the realm of general-news and crime-and-justice.
- In the realm of finance and business, it's vital to remain vigilant against scams, especially those that try to exploit the vulnerabilities of pensioners by posing as officials requesting immediate funds or personal information.
