EPFO will no longer allow its members to make major corrections in profiles through online processes. Circulars have also been issued in this regard to the regional offices of EPFO. Proof given for any change will have to be saved for audit.
New Delhi. The Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) will not allow its members to make ‘major changes’ in the profile through online medium. Due to online correction in the profile, there will be scope for mismatch in the record. This will increase the possibility of fraud. In this regard, EPFO has also issued a circular to the regional offices and member institutions. It has been clearly stated in this circular that they should not improve the record of any employee without any paper proof. This circular came just before the announcement of interest rate for the financial year 2021-22.
In FY 2020, there were many such cases, due to which EPFO had to stop paying interest to about 10% of the subscribers. The EPFO has directed its regional offices to preserve the proof given by employees and employers for audit.
Changes will be made only after submission of proof and verification,
it has been said in the circular, ‘In the normal situation no major improvements or changes can be made in the profile of any member through online or offline. However, in a very important situation some changes can be made under the legal provision. If the employer has uploaded the wrong data, then it can be improved with proof. This process will be completed only after following the verification.
which it was said that facility was given to correct wrong information regarding father / husband’s name, date of birth and gender. But in some cases it has been seen that many major changes have been made in the full name and profile. This has increased the risk of fraud.
What are the major and minor changes
The EPFO has categorized small and major changes to facilitate compliance. If a name, surname is corrected without changing the first letter, it will be considered a minor change. Similarly, if you want to change the middle name or surname after marriage, then the change will be based on the name given in the Aadhar card. But a complete change in name will not be allowed. Major changes include changing the full name. It cannot be changed through the online process without the employer giving detailed information and submitting the proof.
If an institution is closed, then salary slip and PF slip along with documents will also be important. The EPFO has already instructed the Regional Offices that the proof submitted is to be saved and made available at the time of audit.
