Old insurance policy maturity or bonus release call
A caller says a large bonus on an old policy is waiting and must be released with a fee or by buying a new policy.
Community reports: 0
How it works
- Someone pretending to be from an insurance company or the insurance regulator says an old or lapsed policy of yours has a large bonus or maturity amount waiting.
- To release it, you must pay a "processing fee", GST or "agent code transfer" charge, or buy a new policy, often over several calls from different "officers".
- Each payment brings a new charge, the bonus never comes, and any "new policy" is either fake or something you did not need.
What it looks like
Example messages. Numbers and links are masked.
Sir, this is the insurance department. Your policy from 2008 has a bonus of Rs 4.6 lakh pending. To release it, a fee of Rs 4,600 must be paid today.
Madam, your fund will be released only if you take a new policy of Rs 50,000. The bonus will come with the first premium receipt.
Red flags
- A big bonus on a policy you forgot
- Fees or tax to release your own money
- Buy a new policy to unlock the old
- Several "officers" calling, each wanting more
The one question to ask
Have you checked this policy directly with the insurer, using the number on your policy papers?
Already paid or shared details?
Stop paying and call your insurer on the number printed on your policy papers to check the real status. Call 1930 and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in with the payment details, and you can also raise the matter through IRDAI's Bima Bharosa.
1930 · cybercrime.gov.in
Also seen as
- Caller offering to "revive" a lapsed policy for a fee
- Fake "insurance regulator" letter about frozen funds