The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) today, on 7 October, shared an important security advisory for subscribers.
In a post on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), the retirement fund body’s official channel advised members to “strictly follow guidelines” in order to protect their personal and information.
The shared a number of key but simple steps, that all members can follow in order to secure themselves against a number of common cybersecurity frauds.
Here’s a look at the cybersecurity advise:
“Use only the official EPFO website and do not click on any suspicious links. Do not share your UAN, password, OTP, , PAN, or bank details with anyone. Stay alert, stay safe,” the EPFO’s official account posted on X.
“Important security advisory. Members are strictly advised to follow the guidelines below to protect their personal and ,” it added. Here’s a look:
- Always visit only official EPFO website
https://www.epfindia.gov.in
https://www.epfo.gov.in
https://www.unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface/
- Never click on unverified web links
These could be shared via , email or social media
- Do not provide your:
UAN, PPO, password, Aadhaar, , bank details or OTP, on any website other than the official EPFO portals.
- Always verify:
URLs carefully before logging in, especially noting spelling variations or unusual domains.
- Report:
Suspicious websites, messages or attempts to the EPFO’s official helpdesk or cybersecurity reporting channels.
- Remember:
The EPFO does not ask for personal details, OTPs, or login credentials through phone calls, WhatsApp, SMS, social media or email.
- Follow the official social media handles, here:
X and — officialepfo, Instagram: social_epfo, Facebook: socialepfo, LinkedIn: epfoofficial
EPFO — Key highlights
- The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is a government-backed investment and retirement savings option in India. Salaried individuals are eligible to open an EPF account when basic pay and dearness allowance are up to ₹25,000.
- For FY26, the Centre ratified the EPFO’s suggestion of 8.25% interest rate for both EPF and voluntary provident fund (VPF) and interest credits were completed in July. This marked the third consecutive time the scheme delivered 8.25% returns.
- Members can activate their Universal Account Number () or generate a new number using the Umang app, after the retirement fund body shifted both services from the portal to the mobile app.
- Your UAN is printed on your salary slip and can also be found on the portal. Once you have logged in, navigate to ‘Know Your UAN’ and enter your PF member ID or Aadhaar/PAN.
- Members are allowed to up to 100% of eligible funds or 75% of their total provident fund balance after setting aside the required 25% minimum balance, with effect from October last year.
- The Labour Ministry also simplified partial withdrawal provisions by merging 13 provisions into three categories — Essential Needs, Housing Needs and Special Circumstances.
- The new rules also extended the period to avail early withdrawal / premature final of EPF from the existing two months to 12 months; and final pension withdrawal from two months to 36 months.