Older adults in vulnerable situations are the main targets of false managers who charge for supposed registrations.
News Colombia.
The promise of financial aid from the Government is being used by scammers to deceive thousands of Colombians, especially older people who live in vulnerable conditions. Social Prosperity set off the alarm after detecting multiple cases in which strangers impersonate officials of the entity to offer false registrations in social programs in exchange for money or personal data.
Criminals contact their victims by WhatsApp, social networks, phone calls, emails and even printed formsensuring that they manage registration for benefits such as basic solidarity incomehe pension bonushe Solidarity Pillar or current programs such as Citizen Income and Young Income.
Behind these promises lies a fraud that affects the most needy communities, taking advantage of the lack of knowledge and trust of older adults. In some cases, scammers ask for money for supposed “processing costs” or request identity documents, which can then be used for illicit purposes.
Social Prosperity clarifies: no procedure has a cost
The entity recalled that all processes to access its programs are free and? Money or bank details are never asked for.
The only valid ways to register or consult information are the official portal socialprosperity.gov.co and regional offices or mobile brigades with duly identified personnel.
Furthermore, Social Prosperity indicated that the Beneficiaries are selected through transparent processesbased on socioeconomic criteria established by the National Government.
Those who already belong to the program Greater Colombia or are on a waiting list no new registrations should be made.
How to protect yourself and report
The entity asked citizens to be alert and follow three basic steps to avoid falling into fraud:
- Be wary of any message that promises quick registrations or guaranteed bonuses.
- Do not give documents or personal information to strangers.
- Report immediately any scam attempt through official channels:
- WhatsApp: 318 806 7329
- National line: 601 379 1088
- Toll-free line: 01 8000 951100
Social Prosperity reported that it is already advancing legal actions to identify and punish those responsible for these fraudulent networks. However, he insisted that Prevention and information are the best tools to prevent more people from being victims.
“Don’t be fooled. Verify, inform yourself and report.” That is the entity’s call to Colombian families, to protect, above all, those who need social assistance most: the elderly and households in poverty.
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