Learn how to escape the INSS proof of life scam

The obligation to carry out proof of life from the INSS (National Institute of Social Security) has been suspended since February this year, but scammers have taken advantage of the proof of life to apply blows to retirees, pensioners and other beneficiaries of the institute.

Fraudsters send messages to policyholders, by letter, email, telephone, SMS or WhatsApp, requesting data and documents to update information about the beneficiary. Whoever sends the paperwork can become a victim and be without the benefit.

How is the INSS proof of life scam

According to the institute, in the contacts, the scammers request personal data and photos of documents so that an alleged “block of payments” does not occur. There are cases where links are sent for facial biometrics to be performed. Citizens cannot click on it, otherwise their data will be stolen.

With this, the agency has alerted policyholders. The main information is that the INSS does not send any data update request. It does not make contact by phone or send links to the beneficiary’s cell phone.

Know how to escape the INSS proof of life scam

Pay attention to the following information:

• The INSS does not make contact in search of data; All documents and information are in My INSS.
• The SMS number used by the INSS to inform citizens is 280-41; the institute does not send links, it only informs about the progress of the processes, according to the
• Facial biometrics must be done exclusively through the gov.br application
• Summons to present documents are made by Meu INSS; the insured can also check what is being requested by calling 135
• On 135, the attendant can ask for information; this is a normal procedure

The insured must keep his contact details updated on Meu INSS because it is through them that the institute is able to contact him. If you are the victim of an attempted coup, the complaint can be made at the Ombudsman’s Office via the internet or by calling 135. If you suffer a coup, you must file a police report and communicate the name of those involved.

Beware of request to update bank details

Bank correspondence requesting INSS policyholders to update their registration data can also lead to fraud. Retired Marinete Silva, 66, from São Miguel Paulista (east zone of SP), was a victim and had her benefit blocked.

She received a letter from Bradesco saying that she needed to go to their branch urgently, within four days, to update her details. Correspondence asked him to bring documents. “I thought it was proof of life for the INSS, that I was going to lose my benefit and I ran. As the letter was left in my mailbox, I only had two days to update the data”, she says.

According to her, at the agency, she asked what it was about and was informed by an employee that it was just updating data to send a new card. There, she signed several papers at the bank’s request.

“Later, a card arrived at my house, saying that I had to unblock it. It was a checking account card, but I don’t have a checking account, I always had savings and I receive my benefit with the benefit card”, she says.

The surprise came this Friday (26), when he tried to receive his retirement. The values ​​were locked and would only be released if she accepted the new account, creating a password for her. In contact with the bank, the confusion was resolved, and she was able to withdraw her money, but she did not understand what had happened.

“I didn’t understand why they did this to me. Why did they make me sign papers, when I said I was afraid of scams, and why did they want to send me new cards and open a checking account? They linked my benefit to an agency far away. I can go out, I prefer to receive where I already receive, next to my house.”

In a note, Bradesco states that the purpose of the correspondence is “to update the registration data and increase the security of customers”.

“It is important to reinforce that the customer should not pass on any information of their personal and account data, such as passwords and credit card number, by phone, SMS, WhatsApp or by email”, he said.

When contacted, the Central Bank said that it “does not comment on the specific situation of regulated entities” and the Ministry of Justice did not respond.

Mandatory proof of life is suspended until December

Sought, the INSS confirmed that the mandatory proof of life remains suspended until December 31 of this year. With this, no benefit will be cut if the citizen does not prove to the institute that he is alive.

The institute says that “it is working on the implementation of the systems that will cross the data so that the proof of life is done automatically”.

Even with the proof of life suspended, the insured person who wants to can prove that he is alive by going to his bank branch — where he receives the benefit — or through gov.br. You will need to send documents and take a selfie.

Proof that the insured is alive occurs by:

• Access to the Meu INSS app with the gold seal (for those who validated the biometrics in the app) or other apps and systems of public bodies and entities that have certification and access control, in Brazil or abroad;
• Carrying out a payroll loan, carried out by biometric recognition;
• Face-to-face service at INSS agencies, or by biometric recognition at partner entities or institutions;
• Conducting medical expertise by telemedicine or in person, in the public health system or partner network;
• Vaccination records;
• Registration or re-registration in transit or public security agencies;
• Updates in the Cadúnico (Single Registry), only when made by the person responsible for the family group;
• Voting registration in elections;
• Issuance or renewal of passport, identity card, driver’s license, work card, military enlistment or other official documents that require the physical presence of the user or their biometric recognition;
• Receipt of benefit payment with biometric recognition;
• Income Tax Return as a holder or dependent