INSS beneficiaries were victims of fraud due to irregular discounts on monthly fees charged by associations, unions, professional associations and organizations
The amount reimbursed by the federal government to victims of of monthly fees charged by associations, unions, class entities and organizations of retirees and pensioners in the. According to the most recent balance released by the institute, these values, adjusted for inflation, correspond to around 3,370 payments already issued. Payments are scheduled until October 27th.
“In this new phase of the agreement, more than 500 thousand beneficiaries who had already contested discounts and were awaiting analysis of the entities’ response will be able to opt for reimbursement”, informed the INSS. In a note, the institute reported having identified a new irregularity. “At least six entities used software to forge signatures when responding to challenges from retirees and pensioners. Many also sent audio recordings in response, which is not accepted as evidence,” said the INSS.
Discounts on association monthly fees directly from social security benefits have been suspended since April 23 of this year, when the and the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU) initiated the callmaking public the existence of a “national scheme” that harmed millions of retirees and pensioners across Brazil.
The CGU and the INSS have already initiated 52 administrative accountability processes (PAR) against 50 associations and three companies investigated for allegedly defrauding the institute, harming retirees and pensioners and paying bribes to public agents. After identifying the fraud, the federal government decided to reimburse the affected retirees and pensioners, as long as they committed not to take action against the government later. This does not prevent scam victims from taking action against the entities responsible for the fraud.
*With information from Agência Brasil
