Bangkok: The Comptroller General’s Department has issued a warning to state welfare beneficiaries regarding the risk of fraudulent claims. Those eligible for state welfare benefits are urged to exercise caution and avoid providing their ID card or 6-digit PIN code to unreliable vendors or street merchants.
According to Thai News Agency, Thanachok Rungthipanon, Deputy Director-General and spokesperson for the Comptroller General’s Department, disclosed that several welfare beneficiaries have been unable to access their benefits due to unauthorized usage by vendors outside their designated areas. These deceptive vendors, part of the state welfare registration program, have been traveling through various regions, using the Tung Ngern app to process payments at Blue Flag stores and offer discounts on cooking gas.
The fraudulent scheme involves enticing eligible individuals to purchase low-cost items or exchange goods like eggs and vegetable oil. Scammers take photos of the individuals’ ID cards and PIN codes, forwarding this information to other stores and deducting their state welfare credit for the following month. Victims have reported discovering unauthorized use of their benefits at stores in provinces they have never visited. The Comptroller General’s Department advises beneficiaries to safeguard their information and refrain from sharing their ID card or PIN code with suspicious vendors.
The department has sought the assistance of the Department of Internal Trade and the Department of Energy Business to ensure merchants adhere to established guidelines. Beneficiaries are urged to remain vigilant when using welfare benefits with mobile vendors to protect their monthly purchasing limits.
Should an individual’s rights be compromised, they are advised to immediately change their 6-digit PIN code at a Krungthai Bank ATM. If the PIN code is forgotten, beneficiaries should visit a Krungthai Bank branch for identity verification and code resetting.
“Beneficiaries can report Blue Flag stores falsely claiming welfare benefits by contacting the Department of Internal Trade’s hotline at 1569. Complaints against cooking gas stores can be made to the Department of Energy Business at 0 2794 4307 and 0 2794 4111. Please provide the store’s name and address linked to the misuse. For further assistance, contact the Comptroller General’s Department Call Center at 0 2270 6400 during business hours,” advised the spokesperson.