Scammers are already targeting the recently-announced Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) cash assistance from the Malaysian government.
Watch out for FAKE SMS messages that ask for your details to receive your BPN cash assistance!
Bantuan Prihatin Nasional : What Is BPN?
The Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) is a one-time cash assistance by the Malaysian government to help citizens take on the COVID-19 crisis.
It gives singles up to RM 800, and families up to RM 1,600 in cash assistance, depending on their circumstances :
| Single Income RM 2,000 or less |
Household Income RM 4,000 or less |
Single Income RM 2,001 to RM 4,000 |
Household Income RM 4,001 to RM 8,000 |
|
| Total BPN Cash Assistance |
RM 800 | RM 1,600 | RM 500 | RM 1,000 |
| Payments | April : RM 500 May : RM 300 |
April : RM 1,000 May : RM 600 |
April : RM 250 May : RM 250 |
April : RM 500 May : RM 500 |
| No Application Required |
Preapproved for BSP |
Preapproved for BSP |
Registered with LHDN |
Registered with LHDN |
| Payment Method |
Directedly to bank account registered with BSP |
Directedly to bank account registered with :HDN |
||
Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) SMS Scam
Malaysians are, no doubt, eager to get the cash assistance, which is why the website for checking their status was inaccessible for days.
That led the government to change tack – they will inform those who qualify by SMS messages.
However, scammers latched onto that idea, and started sending out these FAKE SMS messages, asking for banking information to send the cash assistance.
Check out these examples, and note how they would ask for your banking login and password!
Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) SMS Scam Debunked!
Never Give Anyone Your Login ID Or Password!
First of all, always remember the golden rule of online safety :
NEVER GIVE ANYONE YOUR LOGIN ID / PASSWORD / TAC NUMBER!
No legitimate organisation, not even your bank or the government, will EVER ask you for your login ID or password or TAC number.
If you ever receive a message, even from what appears to be a trustworthy friend or a representative of the government or your bank, asking for any of those information, JUST IGNORE IT.
The Official SMS Is Only A Notification
The Malaysian government will only send an SMS message to those who qualify for Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN).
If you do not meet the requirements, you will never receive such a notification. This is what the official SMS looks like.
It states very clearly that :
You qualify to receive the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN). Payments will be made on April and May 2020. You do not need to check your status or make any applications.
Only Two Valid SMS Numbers
LHDN issued a notification that they will only use two SMS numbers 62000 and 63833 to send you BPN messages.
If you receive BPN-related messages from any other number, please IGNORE THEM.
The Money Goes Directly Into Your Bank Account
If you have already registered your bank account with the Malaysian Income Tax Department (LHDN), or the government’s BSP (Bantuan Sara Hidup) program, the money will go directly into your bank account.
You do not have to contact LHDN or anyone. They will certainly not ask you for your bank login details. Easy peasy!
COVID-19 : How To Keep Safe!
Here are a few simple steps to stay safe from COVID-19 :
- Avoid suspected cases or disease hotpots, like hospitals, if possible!
- Avoid public events and crowds
- Keep our hands clean with soap or hand sanitiser
- Keep our home, office, vehicles, etc. clean
- If you need to wear a surgical mask, make sure you put it on and remove it properly!
- Wash your food with water (and soap) after purchase and before preparation
Recommended : COVID-19 : Hand Sanitiser or Soap? Which Is Better?
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