Personal data of citizens of the Russian Federation is confidential information that can only be accessed by representatives of government agencies. This is due to the fact that their illegal receipt and use is the basis for many fraudulent schemes, the implementation of which can cause significant financial losses for citizens.
Many citizens know that they should carefully monitor the safety of their personal data, especially for those indicated in the main document - the passport. However, their list is much wider. For example, these are INN and SNILS, which are available to almost every person living and working in Russia. Information about these numbers is of interest to various scammers and swindlers, who use them in a variety of criminal schemes.
Decoding and purpose of SNILS
To understand why scammers need a SNILS number, you need to familiarize yourself with the concept itself and its purpose. The individual personal account insurance number (SNILS) is intended to store pension fees that are transferred to the account from the employer. SNILS is opened in the Pension Fund for every Russian citizen along with receiving a birth certificate.
An insurance code is also assigned to foreigners who are officially employed in Russia. A compulsory insurance card is issued by the Pension Fund or by the employer. For minor citizens, SNILS is used when receiving education or medical care.
Each citizen is assigned one unique number. There is no other identical SNILS. It is impossible to change the received numbers. The individual code encrypts the person’s full name and information about the person’s place and date of birth.
Purpose of issuing SNILS
All Russian citizens receive SNILS immediately after birth, as well as foreigners officially employed in the country. Many people are given a card when they are employed. The employer transfers funds to the received number, which serve as the basis for pension savings.
An insurance certificate will be useful when applying for government benefits. If a minor citizen wants to earn extra money during the holidays, then he must also be given a SNILS. Thanks to a unique card, you can find out the status of your pension savings account.
Safety regulations
To prevent the insurance pension number from being at the disposal of fraudsters, citizens should take care to comply with certain security rules.
Thus, all interaction with the pension fund should be carried out exclusively in the branches of the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation, in the MFC or through the Gosuslugi portal. It should be remembered that its employees never conduct rounds of insured persons.
A universal rule is to carefully study each document before signing it , especially in cases where they contain confidential information related to personal data.
In general, it should be remembered that SNILS, passport data and other similar information should not be provided to third parties unless there is a legal need.
In recent years, various scammers are increasingly trying to fraudulently obtain the insurance number of a personal account with the Pension Fund of Russia. Despite the fact that significant attacks on citizens’ property cannot be expected in this case, illegal schemes invented by fraudsters can significantly affect the implementation of their pension rights in the future. In this regard, it is highly recommended not to transfer information about SNILS and other confidential data to third parties.
Regulation of activities in the field of pension provision
The pension consists of an insurance and funded part . Insurance finances are always kept in the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation, but savings funds are allowed to be transferred to a non-governmental organization.
Non-state pension funds are organizations that store money and charge interest on it every year. The operating scheme of such companies is similar to banking institutions.
There is no difference where savings are stored, but the legalization of non-state pension funds makes its own adjustments. Now a large number of companies are being created that do not inspire confidence among taxpayers. To transfer savings funds to such an organization, it is enough to provide your SNILS number, personal data and sign a special permission. That is why people have appeared who are trying to find out SNILS by any means.
By phone
Another working scheme of scammers is a phone call from the “Pension Fund”. Of course, for the sake of decency and a fictitious verification, you will be asked for your SNILS number. It can also be used in other schemes, but as a rule everything goes in the other direction.
As a rule, it comes to checking your card (there are different variations). And the essence of this whole conversation is either to lure out your card details for transferring from it (number, expiration date, CVV - there are ways to withdraw money without SMS to your phone) or they want to connect a mobile bank. In any case, we are sending you on a long journey. The Pension Fund of Russia does not call people and does not ask for your card details.
Is it okay to show your insurance certificate to strangers?
Some government agencies may ask you to show proof of insurance. But it is prohibited to give your personal code to dubious people you meet on the street. It is also prohibited to provide third parties with notarized photocopies of personal documents. Serious scams , so it is better not to disclose personal information.
Why did the lawyer at the legal consultation make a copy of my SNILS for himself?
From the end of October 2022 There have been important changes in the procedural legislation of the Russian Federation. Now persons participating in the case have the right to submit documents to the court through electronic document management via the Internet. When sending a claim and its attachments, the online service of the State Automated System “Justice” requires you to fill out a form in which you must indicate, in particular, the SNILS of the citizen-applicant. Therefore, in this situation, you should not worry if your lawyer made a copy of it for the civil case.
Does the insurance code provide access to personal data?
SNILS allows you to find out the amount of pension savings of a particular citizen of the Russian Federation. Fraudsters use an insurance certificate to find out the amount of income in a specific period of time. The number itself does not allow you to receive money for personal use.
Alexander Vadimovich
Civil lawyer. More than 12 years of experience, tel. 8 904 277-76-34
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But information about income allows scammers to identify rich people who can be deceived in the future.
If an outsider receives the code, then the pension savings may end up in a non-state pension fund. To steal money, scammers falsify applications or obtain a signature by slipping other documents to the person. To avoid becoming clients of unscrupulous organizations, do not sign papers without first and thoroughly reading them.
Many people do not understand why scammers need SNILS if it cannot be used to obtain a loan, withdraw money from a bank account, or re-register property. But with the help of an insurance certificate, it is possible to hack into a personal profile on the State Services website , and there is information that allows access to the taxpayer’s funds.
Recruitment agencies
And this is an outright scam. People are playing on the problem in the labor market. Introducing - a recruitment agency offers a highly paid vacancy. Of course, hundreds of people will respond in large cities. These potential “employees” are asked to come to the office to sign papers - the procedure is generally standard; it’s not like sending them over the Internet.
And already in the office, among the piles of papers, they slip in an application for transfer to a non-state pension fund. The papers are prepared, and the victim is only asked to sign on the stream, without giving time to think. With further calls and requests regarding when to go to work, they will make excuses and say that it is under consideration. There are many options for implementation (even a social survey on the street), so be vigilant and read each paper.
Receiving schemes
To get a SNILS number, scammers are developing various schemes. The most popular method is a visit from a fake PF employee. The scammer claims that indicating an individual code is required to reduce the amount of the monthly payment or issue supplements. Sometimes scammers call you by phone and ask you to dictate your SNILS number.
There are also online scams when scammers create websites identical to official portals. Large-scale deception schemes are implemented during employment. The citizen thinks that he is signing cooperation documents, but in fact the person is being given permission to transfer savings funds to a non-state pension fund.
Often, gullible citizens provide copies of documents, hoping to get a well-paid position.
Obtaining information through a survey
Typically, well-dressed young men and women interview citizens. They introduce themselves as government service employees. During the communication process, the person calls the SNILS number, which is supposedly intended for registering the profile. To gain the trust of citizens, scammers use fake IDs.
People are intimidated to get a photograph of a document. Fraudsters claim that if the insurance certificate code is not written down now, part of the pension will be written off.
Through lies, manipulation and intimidation, swindlers obtain a citizen’s signature.
Survey features:
- Some scammers pose as employees of non-state pension funds. Through manipulation and indirect threats, these people achieve the transfer of a citizen’s savings funds to the organization they represent.
- Other scammers claim to work for the government. They invite citizens to sign certain papers, which include loan agreements and paid services from various organizations.
You need to remember that you cannot sign any documents without first studying them. NPFs are actively looking for clients and encouraging people to transfer funds to their company. But a person should be suspicious that a representative of the organization is visiting apartments and trying to find out SNILS.
Andrey Andreevich
Criminal lawyer. Work experience over 17 years, tel. 8 904 277-76-34
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If a citizen does not plan to transfer his savings to another company, then there is no need to show his card to strangers.
Employment
When a person gets a job, he is obliged to provide SNILS or give permission to issue a card if the insurance certificate has not yet been issued. Personal data of employees is stored in the accounting department. They are not distributed to third parties. Often, employees of non-state pension funds ask company managers to conduct campaigns among its employees in order to attract new clients.
Sometimes promotions are held where each person who brings a friend receives a financial bonus. In some cases, the employer requires that employees transfer to a non-state pension fund, since the company has entered into an agreement with this organization. It is important to remember that no one under the law can force you to cooperate with another fund.
Internet fraud
Many fraudulent schemes are built on the Internet. Personal data may be required when logging into a website.
Schemes for obtaining a SNILS number via the Internet:
- Information is requested to provide some services or information.
- Fraudsters develop clone sites that are identical to government resources. The person does not suspect that he is entering personal data on an unofficial portal.
To avoid being scammed, pay attention to the name of the site. If the portal only collects SNILS numbers, then no further confirmation is required.
The insurance certificate does not need any additions; it is issued once and for life.
Risks of quick registration on a government service resource
The official website of government services is designed for the convenience of citizens. Your personal account stores information about a person. Thanks to the portal, you can order some services remotely, familiarize yourself with the procedures, and obtain the necessary information. To quickly register on the state services website, enter your SNILS number. But to avoid falling into a scam, it is recommended to replace the insurance certificate with an e-mail. Registration takes longer, but guarantees protection.
Payments
Why do scammers need SNILS? Another method of fraud is the transfer of funds using a pension insurance card. On the websites of criminals, they offer to receive insurance payments using SNILS. It works based on the following scheme:
- On the site you need to enter your passport or certificate number to determine what payments are due.
- In a few minutes, a list of insurance companies and the amount available for issue appears. The result of this check is different, since random numbers appear. But the amount is high and equals about 100-200 thousand rubles.
- To gain access to the database, it is proposed to pay a small commission of 195 or 235 rubles, depending on the document used to check.
- After payment, the person will not receive any funds. The site offers new services for which large sums are charged.
- The deception of money will continue until the deceived person realizes that he has fallen for scammers.
Resources that offer such services are blocked, but copies of them appear regularly. However, they are similar in functionality. In order not to run into scammers, you should remember that there can be no hidden payments. Moreover, the pension certificate cannot be used to receive cash; the card is only used to register a person in the pension insurance system.
Why do scammers collect SNILS codes?
The main goal of scammers is to obtain new clients from NPFs. Employees of a non-governmental organization are financially rewarded for each taxpayer they attract.
You cannot get a loan using an individual insurance code, since banks do not issue loans without a passport and TIN.
Another option for scammers to use SNILS is to try to log into an account on a government services website. But in addition to the code, you also need a password, so the chance that scammers will hack your account is small. There is no need to fear that scammers will issue a loan in your name, since this is impossible without a passport, TIN and your signature.
Where scammers use someone else's SNILS
Scammers obtain SNILS in order to transfer the savings portion of a citizen’s funds to a non-state pension fund. In other situations, the individual code has no value. Non-governmental organizations are trying to attract more customers, so they use all the tricks.
What attackers won't be able to do
Even knowing the victim’s passport details and insurance number, scammers will not be able to do the following:
- Apply for a loan from a bank. Microfinance organizations do not count because they provide loans using a simplified scheme.
- Withdraw pension savings, thereby depriving the applicant of his pension.
Procedure if a swindler has taken possession of personal data
Most often, pensioners (a vulnerable category of the population) become victims of scammers. In any case, it is important not to panic, contact the Pension Fund, and, if necessary, a lawyer.
Procedure if the SNILS number is in the hands of scammers:
- If scammers transferred part of the funds to a non-state pension fund account, then by law a citizen can return these funds to a government organization. First you need to contact the Pension Fund and write an application to return the funds ahead of schedule.
- Next, it is recommended to change the nickname and password for accessing your account on the government services resource.
- In order for fraudsters to be held accountable for their actions before the law, significant evidence of their deceptive activities is required. You are allowed to contact the police if a person did not sign the permit, but the money still ended up in the NPF.
People often panic and don’t know what to do if scammers find out their SNILS number. It is important to immediately check for changes in the PF account and change the login parameters on the government services resource. To win a case in court , you need strong evidence and the help of a lawyer. Otherwise, the application will not be accepted, since it does not constitute a crime.
Why do they need this?
That's the truth. They go from house to house and work. Moreover, quite a lot of people are transferring. Why do they need this?
Firstly, the NPFs themselves need this. As a rule, organizations are unknown to anyone, and no one wants to get someone else’s money under their control. In the future, they can honestly manage this money and even try to pay in the future. But usually these are still very small organizations whose goal is more likely to cash out these funds and go bankrupt. Yes, you will completely lose this money, but many did not even know about its existence. So it's not that bad. At best, NPF is still profitable. With annual payments of 5%, a competent investor will receive many times more from someone else’s capital. But in this case, the “official” Pension Fund can also be blamed.
Secondly, those who visit people themselves receive (ATTENTION!!! According to rumors from the Internet) 3-5 thousand rubles from each signature. Not bad, right? In what other job is this possible? In the evening I walked around the house, made about a dozen “clients”, and then I could relax. These are the real scammers from the NPF.
Recommendations on how to avoid falling for scammers' tricks
To avoid becoming a victim of scammers, follow a few simple rules. Fraudsters always rush people and try to find out personal information.
Recommendations on how not to fall for the tricks of scammers:
- Officials do not go door to door to collect personal data.
- A representative of no authority can force a person to show an insurance certificate. If you refuse to present SNILS, then no penalty will follow.
- The SNILS number must be provided when applying for a job, consulting at the Pension Fund and authorizing on the state service portal.
When a swindler shows some identification and threatens with fines, it is easy to succumb to manipulation and provide any information. To protect yourself and your loved ones, it is important to remember the laws and cases when you are required to provide SNILS.
Fraud protection options
From what was described above, it became clear how scammers will be able to use the SNILS number. Therefore, it is worth protecting yourself and your loved ones (especially those of pre-retirement and retirement age) from the potential actions of attackers.
Options for protecting against personal data ransomware are as follows:
- Never, under any circumstances, transfer personal data to third parties (when contacting on the street, during a personal visit to your home, etc.).
- Always ask the person who introduced himself as an employee of the Pension Fund or other government departments for identification.
- Call the police if there are any aggressive actions by intruders in your home.
- Do not sign any contracts or agreements without reading them completely and clarifying each point.
