WhatsApp scam alert! Amul warns against fake ₹5,000 vouchers with ‘Amul Girl'. Here's what customers should do
Gujarat-based dairy cooperative society Amul has warned customers about a scam where fake vouchers are being distributed on WhatsApp and other social media platforms. This scam features the popular 'Amul girl' image alongside the brand's logo, offering ₹ 5,000 to customers when they click a link.
In a post on the social media platform X, Amul issued a public interest advisory and wrote, 'We wish to inform you (that) a fake gift voucher message featuring the Amul Girl is being shared on WhatsApp and social media. This voucher has not been created by Amul.'
The brand further said, 'In the said message, a webpage link is autogenerated and is misleading the customers to fraudulent websites.'
Amul informed that they blacklisted many such links and will take legal action as well against the perpetrators of such a fraudulent scheme.
Amul has recommended three measures for customers to prevent falling victim to such scams.
Customers are urged to avoid clicking on any such links.
Upon receiving such a message or a link, customers must share the information alert with those who have shared the fake message with them.
For any further queries, customers can reach out via customer care toll-free mumber-1800 258 3333 or email to customercare@amul.coop.
The latest Amul scam adds to a list of online scams across the country. In the 2023-24 annual report released by the Union Home Ministry, a total of 43,797 complaints regarding cyber frauds through WhatsApp were filed, with 22,680 complaints against Telegram and 19,800 regarding Instagram were filed for the first quarter of 2024, as Mint reported on 1 January 2025.
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This resulted in his PF transfer getting blocked. For five years, Jain's entire PF corpus was stuck—and interest thereon went unpaid—as he ran from pillar to post in many failed attempts to get his passbook reconciled. He finally got his PF transfer processed towards the end of last year, along with unpaid insist that the onus is on employees to remain vigilant about discrepancies in their PF contributions.'Regular monitoring by the employee is required for early detection of these issues,' says Jain, adding, 'The employee often realises the gaps only at the time of applying for withdrawal or transfer, at which point it may be difficult even for the employer to correct the records.'If this sounds like a task, don't fret. Missing or delayed contributions are fairly easy to spot. Here is what you can your passbook on the EPFO portal or UMANG app to keep tabs on the deposits to your EPF account on a monthly basis. Any discrepancy in contributions will be reflected in the passbook. The member must activate his/her UAN to access the e-passbook. Members also receive SMS on their registered mobile phone on credit of monthly contribution to their PF account, though this system unfortunately doesn't always work. Employees may also verify their salary slips to see if the amounts match with the PF you find any gaps, bring it to your employer's attention immediately and seek rectification. For record, send a written communication to your HR with evidence of your EPF passbook. 'In cases of genuine administrative lapses, the employer may simply clear the dues or issue a clarification letter to the EPFO citing reasons for the gaps,' avers if the employer is non-compliant, you may have to escalate the matter to the EPFO directly. You may file a grievance on the EPF i Grievance Management System (EPFIGMS) portal or file a written complaint with the regional PF authorities. Submit relevant proof that EPF deposits have been deducted but not deposited in the EPF account. Your salary slips and EPF passbook entries should be enough evidence in most cases. If the employer is in default, the EPFO has the power to investigate and seek corrective actions by the employer, failing which it can impose damages and penalties on the company. The EPFO can file a complaint with the police under Section 316 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for action against the the problem persists, try filing a grievance with the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). Finally, if nothing else works, consider approaching the courts. 'If the employer continues to default and refuses to comply, employees can seek legal remedies,' Jain of Share Samadhan on the nature of the discrepancy, it may take anywhere between a few weeks to a few years to get the issue resolved. Prolonged delays can severely hamper your financial well-being. 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