Brazil's INSS issues WhatsApp alerts for proof‑of‑life, warns of benefit suspension

The National Institute of Social Security (INSS) in Brazil is sending official WhatsApp messages, as well as notifications in the Gov.br and Meu INSS apps and bank statements, to retirees, pensioners and other beneficiaries whose records show no recent activity in government databases. The alerts ask recipients to confirm they are alive – a process known as “prova de vida” – within 30 days, using facial‑recognition apps, bank branches, or by updating personal data through official channels.

If no activity such as voting, vaccination, document renewal or banking transactions is detected for ten months, the INSS may block the payment of the benefit for up to 30 days until verification is completed. The agency stresses that the messages contain no external links, do not request passwords or CPF numbers, and warns against fraud attempts that mimic official communications.