New Scam Targeting Retirees: Fraudsters Impersonating IPS and IOMA Officials

Retirees in Buenos Aires are being targeted by scammers impersonating employees of IPS and IOMA pension institutions, claiming they have won prizes or gifts. The fraudsters aim to steal personal and banking information through phone calls, WhatsApp messages, and emails.

Overview of the Scam

Retirees in Buenos Aires, Argentina are being targeted by a new fraud scheme. The Social Security Institute (IPS) and Medical Assistance Work Institute (IOMA) have issued warnings about increasing fraudulent impersonations.

How the Scam Works

Fraudsters contact retirees via phone calls, WhatsApp, email, and social media using these tactics:

Claiming the retiree has been selected as a "prize or gift" winner
Promising special benefits simply for being a pensioner
Building trust before requesting personal information
Stealing banking details and security codes for financial fraud

Key Warning

Legitimate pension institutions like IPS and IOMA:

Never offer prizes by phone: Official agencies do not distribute gifts or prizes through phone calls or messages
Never give unconditional benefits: Being a pensioner does not qualify anyone for unsolicited telephone benefits
Never request banking information: Official institutions never ask for bank account numbers or security codes over the phone

How to Protect Yourself

Responding to Suspicious Contact

Do not respond to unknown communications: Ignore calls, WhatsApp messages, emails, or social media contacts from unknown sources
Never share personal information: Do not disclose addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, bank account numbers, passwords, or security codes
Verify directly: Contact the official institution directly (using contact information from their official website) to confirm if the communication is legitimate
Do not make transfers or payments: Even if asked, never send money or make transfers

Verification Steps

If you suspect fraud, contact IPS and IOMA through their official channels (found on their verified websites, not through the caller's provided contact information).

Reporting

Any suspicious contact should be reported to the official institutions and to local law enforcement authorities. Reporting fraudulent activities helps prevent further victimization of other retirees.