The Military Pension Board (MPB) has raised the alarm over the activities of fraudsters targeting military pensioners and their families across the country, warning retirees not to disclose sensitive personal and banking information to unauthorized persons.
The board said criminal elements posing as pension officials and agents have been contacting pensioners and next of kin in an attempt to obtain confidential details under the guise of processing pension benefits.
According to the board, the fraudsters are seeking information such as Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), National Identification Numbers (NINs), bank account details, ATM card information and other personal data that could be used to steal money or commit identity theft.
The warning was contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Military Pension Board, Aliyu Mohammed.
The statement disclosed that the board had received several reports from pensioners concerning suspicious individuals demanding sensitive information from them.
“The Board has received reports that some individuals are demanding personal details such as Bank Verification Numbers, National Identification Numbers, bank account details, ATM card information and other confidential data,” the statement said.
The Military Pension Board expressed concern over what it described as a coordinated identity theft operation targeting military retirees and the families of deceased personnel.
It noted that fraudsters often exploit the vulnerability of pensioners by pretending to assist them with pension-related matters, including payment processing, verification exercises and access to benefits.
The board warned that unsuspecting retirees who disclose such information risk becoming victims of financial fraud and identity theft.
It stressed that the Military Pension Board does not use agents, consultants or third parties to collect pensioners’ personal information for any purpose.
“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,” the statement added.
The board urged pensioners to be cautious and avoid responding to phone calls, text messages, emails or social media messages requesting confidential information.
It advised retirees to verify any pension-related communication through official channels before taking action.
According to the board, any request for sensitive information from unofficial sources should be treated as suspicious.
Military retirees were specifically warned never to reveal their BVNs, ATM card numbers, card PINs, passwords or one-time passwords sent by banks, regardless of the identity claimed by the caller.
The board also called on family members and next of kin to educate elderly pensioners about the tactics commonly used by fraudsters.
Many retirees, especially older citizens, may not be familiar with the latest methods employed by cybercriminals and scammers. As a result, they can become easy targets for individuals seeking to exploit their trust.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over the increasing rate of financial fraud in Nigeria.
Over the years, fraudsters have devised various schemes to obtain the banking details of unsuspecting citizens. These methods include impersonating officials of government agencies, banks and telecommunications companies.
Victims are often told that their accounts require verification, that they have qualified for special benefits or that they need to update their records to continue receiving payments.
Financial institutions and regulatory authorities have also intensified public awareness campaigns, reminding customers that legitimate organisations do not request sensitive information through unofficial channels.
For military pensioners, the latest warning highlights the need for greater vigilance.
Retirement benefits serve as an important source of livelihood for thousands of former military personnel who devoted years of service to the country. Any loss of these funds to fraudsters can have devastating consequences for retirees and their families.
The Military Pension Board assured pensioners that official procedures for processing pensions and gratuities remain in place and those beneficiaries would be informed through recognised channels whenever necessary.
The board urged those who encounter suspicious requests or individuals claiming to represent the agency to report such incidents immediately to the appropriate authorities.
It also encouraged pensioners to contact the board directly whenever they are in doubt about any communication relating to their benefits.
The statement further advised retirees to remain alert and share the information with fellow pensioners to prevent others from falling victim to the scam.
“As fraudsters continue to develop new strategies to deceive people, pensioners must remain vigilant and exercise caution at all times,” the board said.
The warning serves as a reminder that protecting personal information has become increasingly important in today’s digital age.