Polish seniors targeted by new ZUS fraud scheme

Criminal groups have introduced a new scam that pretends to be a ZUS (Polish Social Insurance Institution) retirement program. Victims are contacted by phone and receive SMS messages that appear official, often quoting a fictitious personal manager named Daniel Ligocki and demanding a payment of 800 zł for enrollment. The messages use AI‑generated text and professional formatting to increase credibility. ZUS warns that it never asks for upfront fees, does not send login links by SMS, and advises anyone receiving such contact to hang up, call the official ZUS hotline at 22 560 16 00, and verify information in person at a ZUS office.

A broader advisory on fraud highlights common tactics such as impersonating police officers, bank staff, family members, or online merchants. Scammers create fake websites, send deceptive links, and pressure victims to act quickly. The public is urged to avoid sharing passwords, BLIK codes, or personal data, not to click suspicious links, and to confirm any request for money by contacting the alleged sender through a known, trusted number. These warnings aim to protect especially senior citizens, who are frequently targeted by such schemes.