Some days ago, I received a phone call from a "PNB Metlife Insurance" agent.
She called at 11:46 AM from the mobile number- 7428450226
She stated that I have a PNB Metlife Insurance Policy# 14684834
The Policy Plan- Met Guaranteed Income Plan
The lady who had called sounded totally credible.
She said that I have a PNB Metlife Insurance Policy- dated 23 March 2013 - and provided details as though she knew my policy and me from ages!
She said the first instalment of my policy had been paid- Rs 50,000.
The amount that the policy is worth today- Rs 1,88,412
She asked me to pay 2 more instalments i.e. Rs 50,000X2 = Rs 1,00,000
Then, I can draw the amount of Rs 2,88,412 (Rs 1,88,412 policy amount as it stands today + Rs 1,00,000 that I would have to pay now)
She asked me to contact her Manager- S.K.Tripathy- Phone number- 9289330405
I had a feeling that this was totally fake.
Still, to check the veracity, I wrote to the Customer Service Team of PNB Metlife India Insurance Company Ltd. and enquired with them if I really do own such a Policy!
Many times, it can be possible that a close family-member may have bought a policy in our name, and communication/information about the same may not be available with us (they may have forgotten to inform us or they may no longer be alive). It always makes sense to check directly with the company, by using the details from the authentic website of the company itself. Yes, care needs to be taken so as not to duped by the fake websites websites masquerading as the original. Many customers have lost their savings by wrongly calling fake phone numbers and divulging bank-account details after following the instructions of such fraudsters.
Their Customer Service Team assigned a service request number to my query and assured that they would reply within five working days.
I did not have to wait long. That very day, I received this reply with reference to my email. This is what the real PNB Customer Experience Team shared regarding my captioned policy-
We would like to inform you that we have forwarded your request to the concerned department and the same is under process. The status of the same will be updated to you shortly.
Also, we assure you that the person “XXXXX” who called you from number # 7428450226 is not authorized by PNB MetLife, and neither the number provided pertains to us in any manner.
This issue is faced by the entire industry which has been highlighted to legal authorities and regulators from time to time. As an organization, we have a zero-tolerance policy on such matters impacting the customer experience. We also created awareness among our customers on such calls by way of publication in the newspaper and a dedicated section on spurious call on our website.
We would like to inform you that policy number 14684834 provided by you doesn’t exist in our system and is not related to PNB Metlife. Request you not to make any payment for this policy
We also request you to ignore any such calls in the future. You may also initiate legal action against the callers and their agency in your individual capacity.
We also advised you to be cautious against such spurious calls and fictitious offers and highlight such instances to PNB MetLife immediately.
We would also like to assure you that the security of customer data & personal details is the utmost priority for us and in this regard, the organization has maintained a high standard for confidentiality.
PNB MetLife proudly shares the launch of our Servicing App KhUshi which can be downloaded through URL https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pmli.fusion – to know more about our products and the benefits and avail all services like Premium payment, downloading the receipts etc.
Should you require any further assistance, please contact us on our toll free number 1800 425 6969.
We would like to inform you that policy number (14684834 ) provided by you doesn't exist in our system and is not related to PNB Metlife. Request you not to make any payment for this policy.
For all your servicing needs, you can download KhUshi - our customer service App wherein you can pay the premiums, download renewal premium receipt, premium paid certificate and update personal details and much more instantly.
You can easily login to KhUshi App using your registered mobile number and e-mail id and downloading using the URL https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pmli.fusion
Should you require any further assistance, please contact us on our toll free number 1800 425 6969.
PNB MetLife customers can access to real-time policy details along with receipts and statements through our 24/7 IVR facility on our toll free number 1800 425 6969. Our call center timings are 10:00 am - 7:00 pm, Monday to Saturday.
I am sharing regarding this here on my blog so that customers must beware of such fraud calls. In case we chose to believe such fake callers, we will surely lose a lot of money and mental balance.
The shameless people had called me again.
I gave them a piece of my mind and told them that no such policy exists.
I said that I would share about them and make their phone numbers and alias names public.
I doubt if they really use the same names again! But, the phone number used to con people and perhaps the Policy number and amount may be the same for all! Don't think that they must be having different amounts to trick different people.
Why are they trying to dupe innocent people?
They have no right to steal others hard-earned wealth using such tactics.
Why don't they use fair means to earn money?
What use is the money that is acquired by such unfair means? What sort of a karma are such thieves accumulating?
People are busy and happy making easy money, irrespective of such foul means.
This is Kali Yuga and what else can we expect?
"Better be safe than sorry."
"Prevention is better than the cure."
Please do share this with your family-members, especially the senior citizens, many of whom are easy targets of such digital thefts.
"Sharing is caring."
"Being forewarned is being forearmed"
Take care. Stay safe.
The money in your pocket should come to my pocket without me doing any work for you. There are several fake incidents like this. We have to be careful.
ReplyDeleteVery true.
DeleteBecause of such fraud people, we lose trust.
We all need to take care and beware.
That is such a horrific thing, glad you did your due deligence. And good you shared your experience here so that others are also aware
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pooja. They sound so credible that anyone can be mistaken.
Delete"Jamtara" show is an example.
We need to share so that all will be aware.
Hope action is taken against such people.