Financial scams take on many forms and Malaysians are increasingly vulnerable to these schemes, which range from sophisticated phishing attempts to phone scams and identity theft. By understanding these common types of fraud, we can better protect ourselves and avoid becoming victims of cybercriminals.

• Phishing emails and messages

Be cautious of emails or messages that appear to be from trustworthy sources asking you to verify account details or click on a link to update your information. These links may direct you to fake websites designed to steal your login credentials and personal data. This tactic is known as phishing.

• Voice phishing

Always be cautious when receiving calls from unknown numbers, especially if the caller pressures you to provide personal information, make payments, or claims there is an urgent issue with your account. Cybercriminals frequently use coercion tactics to create a sense of urgency, exploiting your vulnerability to gain access to your personal or financial data.

• Impersonation scams 

Avoid falling victim to cybercriminals posing as officials or financial advisors or pretending to be government authorities. They might promise unrealistic investment returns, such as in FOREX investment scams, or claim that there is an urgent issue. These criminals use psychological tactics to convince you that they are legitimate and trustworthy, manipulating you into revealing sensitive information or making financial transactions based on deceitful claims.

If you receive messages via social media, SMS, or WhatsApp claiming to be from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), stay sharp! Always verify the source of such communications and ensure that they are from a legitimate and trustworthy origin.

The EPF has issued a warning against fraudulent activities that allegedly promised early EPF withdrawals with specific payment amounts, often advertised on social media. These scam groups use falsified documents to process withdrawals, exposing you to financial risks and potential legal consequences.

The EPF has also addressed SMS scams where members receive messages threatening to suspend their accounts. These messages will instruct you to contact a specified number within 24 hours to cancel the suspension. In such cases, cybercriminals will initiate a scam through phone conversations with you. 

Please be advised that official SMS messages from the EPF will always come from a five-digit short code, such as 66688, and never from a personal phone number.

1. Verify the authenticity of communication:
   Safeguard yourself by verifying the authenticity of any communication pretending to be from EPF officials. Avoid responding to suspicious offers or sharing personal information with unknown parties. For any inquiries regarding the EPF, you can contact them through their official channels or click here for more information. Typically, the EPF Contact Centre will use the number 03-89224000 for outgoing calls to members or employers.
    
2. Enhance account security:
   Use a strong, unique password for your EPF account and enable two-factor authentication. A good password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid accessing your EPF account via unsecured public Wi-Fi networks to reduce the risk of data breaches.
    
3. Stay informed:
   Keep yourself updated about the latest scams and fraud tactics targeting EPF members. Sharing this knowledge with family and friends helps create a network of protection.
    
4. Report suspicious activity:
   If you receive suspicious emails, messages, or phone calls pretending to be from EPF, report them immediately to EPF through the official channels for further action and investigation.