In short
A call, message or social-media contact claims to be from EPFO and asks for account or identity information The objective is typically to take over accounts or misuse personal/financial information.
What it is
The contact says EPFO needs UAN, password, PAN, Aadhaar, bank details or OTP for a service/update. The victim is then pushed to share credentials, OTPs or personal/bank details.
How it starts
A call, message or social-media contact claims to be from EPFO and asks for account or identity information.
What they tell you
The contact says EPFO needs UAN, password, PAN, Aadhaar, bank details or OTP for a service/update
What they want you to do
Share credentials, OTPs or personal/bank details
How you lose money
take over accounts or misuse personal/financial information
What happens next
After the first successful step, the fraudster may demand more money/information, deepen account or device access, or disappear.
Warning signs
authority | urgency | trust | credential phishing | impersonation
Where this is documented
India — officially documented by an Indian authority/regulator
How to avoid it
Use only the authority's official portal/contact details; authenticate notices where an official verification service exists; never disclose OTP/PIN to unsolicited callers.
If it already happened
Contact the bank/payment provider immediately if money moved; report financial cyber fraud promptly via 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in; preserve messages, transaction IDs, phone numbers and URLs.