Vietnam Social Insurance warns of unemployment benefit fraud in Ho Chi Minh City

The Vietnam Social Insurance (Bảo hiểm Xã hội) has issued a warning after a rise in fraudsters impersonating helpers to process unemployment benefit (BHTN) applications in Ho Chi Minh City. The scammers approach workers online or in person, promising rapid processing and immediate payment in exchange for high fees. Victims are coaxed into providing personal ID, bank account numbers, passwords, OTP codes or scanning malicious QR links, risking identity theft and loss of funds.

Officials stress that the state agency never charges any fee for filing unemployment insurance claims. Workers are urged to use only official channels – the national e‑service portal or the designated service centers – and to refrain from handing personal documents or verification codes to strangers. A hotline (0283‑5147186) is provided for reporting suspected fraud. The agency has expanded its service points across the city to facilitate safe, free assistance.