The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has issued a stern warning to retirees of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to be vigilant against scammers attempting to defraud them of their pension funds.
This caution comes amidst rising reports of fraudulent activities targeting pensioners.
In a public notice titled “Beware of Scammers,” PenCom alerted the public to the circulation of scam messages and calls by individuals impersonating PenCom staff.
These fraudsters are reportedly requesting payments into personal accounts to expedite pension disbursements.
“PenCom hereby reiterates that its staff will never request for gratification to facilitate any payment to retirees,” the notice emphasized.
The commission made it clear that all payments due to retirees under the CPS are processed strictly into Individual Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) and managed by the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).
The statement further advised, “The public is urged to be cautious about the attempts by scammers and retirees are encouraged to seek clarifications from the Commission when necessary.”
This warning follows the Federal Government’s release of N16.676 billion for the payment of accrued pension rights, which covers the entitlements of pensioners for the year 2021.
The government had previously settled all arrears of accrued pension rights for verified and enrolled retirees up to December 2020.
Retirees are reminded that any payment processes involving their pensions should be directly coordinated through their PFAs and PenCom, without the need for any additional fees or third-party intervention. PenCom’s notice is a crucial reminder to safeguard against fraud and ensure the secure handling of pension funds.
For further inquiries and verification, retirees are encouraged to contact PenCom directly through official channels.
