Fraudulent withdrawal from PF accounts: Steps for protection of accounts by Govt.

Following steps have been taken to protect the PF accounts of the employees from fraudulent withdrawals:

(i) The attestation of claim forms by the authorized signatory is made mandatory where the establishment is in operation.

(ii) The attestation by the Bank authorities is insisted along with at least one of the documents as required under KYC (Know Your Customer) of the bank to identify the member in those cases where employer is not available.

(iii) Online access has been given to the EPF members to ‘Know their EPF Balance’ through the website of the EPFO at www.epfindia.gov.in

(iv)  Facility of e-passbook has also been provided to the EPF Member. It is an online version of the employee’s provident fund account. Transactions are recorded and can be tracked easily by the member by Registering themselves on the website of the EPFO.

(v) Payment of claims is made electronically through NEFT.

(vi) Facility of Online Transfer Claim Portal (OTCP) has been made in the software so that PF member may get their multiple PF accounts transferred to their current operative account.

(vii) Instructions have been issued to the field offices for taking all measures to prevent the frauds.

Details of Rajya Sabha questions in this regard:-

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

RAJYA SABHA

ANSWERED ON-18.12.2013

1502 . SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR

(a)whether several crores of rupees have been withdrawn from the Provident Fund accounts through fake withdrawal claims;

(b)if so, the details thereof alongwith action taken so far; and

(c)the steps Government is taking to protect the PF accounts of employees from fraudulent withdrawlas?

(b): Does not arise in view of reply to part (a) of the Question above.

(c): **see above**