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Protect Your Parents’ CPF from Scams: A Practical Guide to Trusted Contact and the CPF Safety Switch

ByBrian

Scams keep getting smarter, but so can we. If you’ve ever gotten a panicked text from your parents asking whether a link is legit, or watched them nearly hand over account details to a caller, you know how quickly things can spiral. The good news: CPF has introduced practical anti-scam measures — like the Trusted Contact and the CPF Safety Switch — that make it easier for families to protect their loved one’s CPF savings. Here’s a friendly, no-nonsense guide on how you can help your parents keep their CPF accounts safe.

1) Become a Trusted Contact — spot oddities early

One of the simplest but most effective steps is to be named as a Trusted Contact. This service lets CPF members appoint a trusted loved one to receive a copy of certain important CPF notifications. Why this matters: sometimes a second set of eyes is all it takes to flag something suspicious before it becomes a problem.

What a Trusted Contact actually does

  • You’ll receive copies of certain CPF notifications (like updates related to withdrawals, contact details, or bank account changes).
  • You’re not legally empowered to make decisions for the account holder — so it’s not the same as a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or a court-appointed Deputy.
  • Think of the role as being an extra safety net: you’ll get notified early and can prompt a quick check-in if something looks off.

What to check for when you get notifications

  • Unusual lump-sum withdrawals or retirement withdrawals that your parent didn’t tell you about.
  • Contact details or bank account changes that your parent didn’t initiate.
  • Updates to daily withdrawal limits or any activity that looks out of the ordinary.

Before accepting the role, remind your parents to make sure they have both a Singapore-registered mobile number and email address registered with the CPF Board. If they don’t, help them update it — it’s an easy step that improves communication and safety.

2) CPF Safety Switch — freeze online access instantly

If your parents suspect they’ve been targeted, the CPF Safety Switch is a powerful, immediate tool. Members aged 55 and above can activate it to stop access to CPF online services right away.

What the Safety Switch does

  • Disables login to CPF accounts on the CPF website and mobile app, preventing scammers from accessing personal info.
  • Stops in-progress CPF withdrawals and halts future disbursements to the registered bank account.
  • Does NOT affect incoming CPF contributions or recurring payments for housing and insurance — so daily life isn’t disrupted more than necessary.

How to activate it: your parents can call the CPF hotline at 1800-227-1188 or visit any CPF Service Centre during operating hours. Encourage them to do this immediately if they think something’s gone wrong — time matters.

3) Keep being vigilant — habits matter

Tools are great, but habits actually stop scams from happening in the first place. Here are some practical habits and actions you can share with your parents:

  • Slow down: Scammers create urgency. If a call, email or text pressures them to act fast, treat it as a red flag.
  • Verify before you act: If they get a message about CPF changes, suggest calling the CPF hotline directly (1800-227-1188) instead of clicking links in the message.
  • Never share passwords or SMS OTPs: Legitimate agencies will never ask for passwords or one-time passwords over the phone or email.
  • Keep personal details private: Don’t upload photos of NRICs or bank statements to unfamiliar sites or respond to social media requests for those documents.
  • Use official channels: Remind them to access CPF via the official website or app only — not through links forwarded in messages.

Quick tips for talking to your parents

Some of us dread these conversations, but a calm, practical chat goes a long way. Try these conversation starters:

  • “Hey Mum/Dad, can I help you check your CPF contact details? It only takes a few minutes and will keep things safer.”
  • “If you ever get a call or message about your CPF, text me a screenshot before you do anything — I’ll take a look right away.”
  • “Just so you know, you can freeze online access to CPF instantly if you suspect anything weird. Here’s the number to call: 1800-227-1188.”

How the Trusted Contact differs from LPA or a Deputy

It’s useful to know the difference so you don’t mix them up:

  • Trusted Contact: Receives certain CPF notifications to help spot scams. No legal authority to act on the account holder’s behalf.
  • Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA): A legal document where the donor appoints a donee to make decisions on personal welfare and/or property & affairs if they lose capacity.
  • Deputy: Someone appointed by the court to make decisions for a person who lacks mental capacity. The court order specifies what decisions the Deputy can make.

So, a Trusted Contact is about early detection and reassurance. An LPA or Deputy gives legal authority to act when needed. Depending on your family situation, you might use one, two, or all of these tools.

Final thoughts — small steps, big peace of mind

This stuff isn’t meant to scare anyone — it’s about giving your parents simple, practical ways to stay safe. Being named as a Trusted Contact, knowing how to flip the CPF Safety Switch, and having a few clear rules about verification will make a real difference.

If you can, take 30 minutes this week to check your parents’ CPF contact details with them, talk through the Safety Switch, and agree on a quick plan if anything suspicious pops up. That small effort now can save a lot of heartache later.

Information in this article is accurate as at date of publication. For the latest details and official instructions, refer to the CPF Board or call the CPF hotline at 1800-227-1188.

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