Bangkok: The Comptroller General's Department has issued a stern warning to individuals eligible for state welfare benefits, urging them to exercise caution when purchasing goods from street vendors to prevent potential theft of their benefits. The department has emphasized that under no circumstances should beneficiaries disclose their national identification card or 6-digit PIN code to unreliable or street vendors.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Director-General Mr. Thanachok Rungthipanont, who also serves as the spokesperson for the Comptroller General's Department, revealed that multiple reports have been received from state welfare program recipients. These reports indicate that some recipients have been unable to utilize their benefits due to fraudulent activities at shops located in other provinces, where they had not intended to use their funds. Investigations have traced the fraud to mobile vendors participating in the state welfare registration program. These vendors use the "Thung Ngern" (Money Bag) application to process payments at government-subsidized shops, known as Thong Fah shops, and to facilitate discounts on cooking gas.
The fraudsters reportedly deceive recipients into purchasing discounted items or exchanging them for goods like eggs and cooking oil, during which they photograph the recipients' national identification cards and record their 6-digit PIN codes. This sensitive information is then shared with other shops, including Thong Fah shops and cooking gas retailers, leading to deductions from the recipients' state welfare funds for the subsequent month. This prevents beneficiaries from accessing their entitled benefits. Many recipients discovered the unauthorized use of their benefits upon contacting the State Welfare Card Call Center, only to find out their funds had been utilized at shops in provinces they had never visited.
Mr. Rungthipanont advises that if an individual's rights have been fraudulently used, they should immediately change their 6-digit PIN code at a Krung Thai Bank ATM. For those who have forgotten their PIN, a visit to a Krung Thai Bank branch is necessary to re-verify identity and set a new code. Recipients can report fraudulent use of state welfare benefits to the Department of Internal Trade hotline at 1569. Additionally, complaints regarding LPG retailer fraud can be directed to the Department of Energy Business at the provided contact numbers. For further assistance, the Comptroller General's Department Call Center is available during business hours.