No report received on false messages, scams on EPF withdrawal
MIRI: Deputy district police chief here Supt Stanley Jonathan Ringgit said no report has been made on the false messages and scams circulating on social media, short messaging service ( SMS) and WhatsApp to members of the Employees Provident Fund ( EPF) in Miri.
Stanley confirmed this with The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday and advised EPF members here to lodge a report if they have been cheated.
“So far no reports have been made on the false messages and scams in Miri.
“To all EPF members, do not believe such messages but go to the EPF office to check. Lodge a report if you find that you have been cheated,” said Stanley.
A statement from EPF on Thursday (June 15) said it had identified a false message sent to members that claimed their EPF accounts would be blocked within 24 hours unless they call a given mobile phone number.
They had warned EPF members of the situation.
“Official messages from EPF display a five- digit short code as sender identification ( ID), and the messages will not be sent to members from a personal mobile number,” pointed out EPF.
According to EPF, syndicates or agents were promoting services on social media to help members withdraw their EPF savings in return for a fee.
It said there had been cases of agents submitting falsified documents in attempts to get the withdrawals approved.
“EPF does not appoint or endorse a third party to facilitate application for withdrawals.
“Members eligible to make withdrawals from their accounts can deal directly with EPF free of charge,” it clarified.
EPF urged members to be cautious upon receiving any messages related to their EPF, and not be misled by the false messages.
Members should refrain from calling the number on the SMS/ WhatsApp or dealing with the sender of the false message.
“The matter went viral on various social media platforms. We are looking at this matter seriously and investigating it.
“A statement will be released by the EPF’s Corporate Affairs Department most probably by tomorrow,” EPF Miri branch manager Nelly Unyang said when contacted.
Members are welcome to call the EPF Contact Management Centre at 03- 89226000 or visit any EPF counter nationwide for clarification.
They can refer to EPF’s responses to false information at www.kwsp. gov. my/ portal/ en/ web/ kwsp/ general/chain- emails.