Scam Advisory

NTUC Membership Scam Advisory

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated and are targeting unsuspecting individuals through familiar platforms such as SMS, phone calls, messaging platforms (WhatsApp), social media ads, and emails.

 

These scams are increasingly common and often impersonate trusted organizations (including government agencies and established brands) to deceive victims into revealing personal information or making unauthorized payments.

 

NTUC has received reports where individuals impersonate NTUC Union representatives to deceive members & the general public.

 

We would like to remind everyone that NTUC:

  • does not call members to demand payments for cancellations of unsolicited insurance policies.
  • will never ask for personal or financial information via call, text messages, WhatsApp or email.
  • will never call you on behalf of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) or request you to verify your identity with sensitive banking or Singpass information.
  • will never ask you to transfer payments over the phone, through WhatsApp, or via suspicious links.
  • will never pressure you to act immediately. Legitimate NTUC representatives will give you time to verify and respond through official contact points.

 

Stay Alert: Common Scam Topics

Scammers often pretend to represent well-known organizations (including NTUC, government agencies, banks, or insurance companies) to gain your trust.

  • They may use realistic logos, fake staff names, and spoofed caller IDs.
  • The goal is to create a sense of legitimacy and lower your guard.

To pressure victims, scammers often create scenarios that require immediate action:

  • “Your membership will be cancelled unless you verify now.”
  • “There is an issue with your policy — you must pay to resolve it.”
  • “We are calling on behalf of the authorities (e.g., MAS, police).”

They rely on panic to stop you from thinking clearly.

Scammers send SMS, emails or social media messages with links that:

  • Lead to fake websites that look like official portals
  • Ask you to enter login credentials, card details, or personal information
  • Install malware on your device

 

Scammers may contact you multiple times or ask seemingly harmless questions to gradually piece together your personal information, such as:

  • Full name, NRIC, phone number
  • Bank or CPF account details
  • OTPs or passwords
  • Address and date of birth

Once enough is gathered, they can commit identity theft or access your accounts.

 

Scammers often ask victims to make payments using:

  • Bank transfers to unknown accounts
  • Cryptocurrency wallets
  • Prepaid gift cards or PayNow/PayLah to personal numbers

NTUC will never request payment via such methods.

 

Some scams lure you in with offers of:

  • “Exclusive NTUC member perks”
  • “Rebates, refunds, or giveaways”
  • “Lucky draws” requiring a small fee to claim prizes

These are usually fronts to gather your data or extract payment.

 

Red Flags to Watch Out For

  • Unexpected calls/messages asking for personal info
  • Pressure to act immediately
  • Suspicious links or attachments
  • Requests for payment

How to Protect Yourself

  1. Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Contact

    Always question unexpected messages, calls, or emails - especially those asking for personal or financial details.

     

  2. Stay calm. Don't Rush

    Scammers often create urgency. Take your time to verify any request or claim before responding.

     

  3. Verify Identities

    When in doubt, contact the organization directly using an official number or website, not the one provided by the caller or message.

     

  4. Protect Your Devices

    Keep your phone, computer and tablet software up to date with the latest security patches.

     

  5. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Enable MFA on your bank, email and social media accounts for an extra layer of protection.

  1. Check URLs Before Clicking

    Hover over links to check their destination. Avoid links that look suspicious or have strange domain names (e.g., ntuc-member.xyz).

     

  2. Use Secure Websites Only

    When entering personal data, ensure the website URL starts with https:// and has a padlock icon.

     

  3. Install Antivirus and Anti-Scam Tools

    Use reputable antivirus software and install tools like ScamShield to block fraudulent calls and messages.

     

  4. Beware of Fake Apps

    Only download apps from official app stores (Apple App Store, Google Play) and avoid third-party APKs.

     

  5. Log Out of Shared Devices

Always log out after using public or shared computers, especially for email, banking and government portals.

  1. Guard Your Personal Information

    Never share your NRIC, bank account, credit card, Singpass or OTPs with anyone, especially over the phone or social media.

     

  2. Secure Important Documents

    Keep your ID, bank cards and sensitive documents in a safe location; dont store them loosely on your phone or computer.

     

  3. Use Strong Passwords

    Create complex passwords using a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid using birthdays or common words.

     

  4. Change Passwords Regularly

    Update your passwords at least every 36 months, especially for online banking and email.

     

  5. Limit What You Share Online

Be cautious about posting personal information such as travel plans, full names or home addresses on social media.

How We Help Keep Your Personal Data Safe

 

We are committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with Singapores Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). Heres how we secure your information:

 

  1. Data Encryption: Sensitive information such as your NRIC, contact details and payment data are encrypted and transmitted securely through protected systems.

     

  2. Access Controls: Only authorized personnel have access to your data, with strict role-based access and audit logs.

     

  3. Data Minimization: We collect only what is necessary and relevant for your membership services.

     

  4. Regular Audits & Compliance: We conduct regular system and process audits to ensure full compliance with data protection policies and cybersecurity standards.

     

  5. Secure Storage: Your data is stored in secure servers within Singapore, with strong physical and digital safeguards.

 

Please visit https://www.ntuc.org.sg/uportal/pdppolicy for more details.

 

We actively implement measures to prevent scammers from impersonating NTUC Union Membership or misusing our name:

 

  1. ScamShield & Spam Filtering

    We encourage members to install ScamShield, developed by the Singapore Police Force and National Crime Prevention Council, to automatically filter scam calls and messages.

     

  2. Public Education

    We regularly update our members on scam prevention tips, red flags and how to report fraudulent activity.

     

  3. No Requests for Personal Info via WhatsApp or Social Media

NTUC Union Membership does not request sensitive information through WhatsApp, Telegram or social platforms.

To further protect our members, we enforce the following secure communication protocols:

 

  1. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

    For systems and portals that require login, 2FA is implemented to ensure only you can access your account.

     

  2. Official Contact Channels Only

Members are advised to communicate only via our official contact numbers and website.

 

If You Have Been Scammed

  • Notify Authorities:
  • Call the Scamshield Helpline at 1799
  • Report to the Police at 999, for urgent assistance
  • Block the caller to prevent further contact
  • Secure Your Accounts: Change passwords and monitor your bank accounts for unauthorized transactions
  • Monitor accounts: Keep an eye on your bank accounts and credit card statement for unusual activity

Stay Informed and Vigilant

For more information on scams and how to protect yourself, visit www.scamshield.gov.sg.

 

Your vigilance is the first line of defense against scams. Stay alert and protect yourself and your loved ones.