The Military Pension Board (MPB) has issued a fraud alert, warning military retirees and next of kin (NOKs) against disclosing sensitive personal and financial information to fraudsters posing as officials or agents offering pension-related services.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer of the Military Pensions Board, Squadron Leader Aliyu Mohammed, said the board had received reports of unscrupulous individuals contacting pensioners under various pretexts, including promises to facilitate loans, process benefits or provide other financial services.
According to him, some of the individuals have been requesting confidential information such as Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), National Identification Numbers (NIN), bank account details, ATM card information and other personal data.
“The Board has received reports that some of these individuals are demanding personal details such as Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), National Identification Numbers (NIN), bank account details, ATM card information, and other confidential data. Pensioners are hereby strongly advised not to disclose such information to any individual, group, or platform that is not officially authorised by the Military Pensions Board,” he said.
Mohammed stressed that the Military Pensions Board does not engage third parties to collect personal or banking information for the processing of loans, pension payments, gratuities or other benefits.
He urged pensioners and their next of kin to treat requests for such information from unofficial sources with caution and report suspicious approaches to the appropriate authorities.
“The Military Pensions Board does not engage third parties to collect pensioners’ personal or banking information for the purpose of processing loans, pension payments, gratuities, or any other benefits. Any request for such information from unofficial sources should be treated with caution and reported to the appropriate authorities,” he added.
The board advised pensioners and NOKs to conduct all official pension-related transactions only through recognised MPB channels and designated contact lines.
Mohammed reaffirmed the board’s commitment to protecting the interests of military retirees, noting that it would continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to combat fraudulent activities targeting pensioners.
He assured retirees that measures are being strengthened to safeguard their benefits and prevent exploitation by criminal elements.
Linus Aleke in Abuja
Follow us on:
