On 2 February 2026, CPF Board launched the Trusted Contact notification service, and CPF Safety Switch to provide members with additional ways to safeguard their CPF accounts. With scam tactics becoming increasingly sophisticated, these two new anti-scam measures add to CPF Board’s existing suite of anti-scam measures1 to better support members in being alert to scams and to safeguard their CPF savings.
Additional oversight for account security through Trusted Contact notification service
Currently, when CPF members perform CPF transactions, they receive notifications to their registered contact channels (email, SMS and/or CPF mobile app push notifications where enabled). With the new Trusted Contact notification service, CPF members aged 21 and above will have the option to appoint up to two Trusted Contacts who would receive a copy of the same notifications for important transactions2. This optional service provides members with an additional safeguard by enabling someone they trust, such as a family member, to help spot suspicious transactions and intervene promptly.
Upon receiving a copy of the notification, Trusted Contacts should check with their appointer to confirm that the transaction was authorised and legitimate. If Trusted Contacts suspect that their appointer may have fallen victim to a scam, they are encouraged to advise or guide their appointer to take the following steps:
- Alert the bank to freeze any affected bank account(s)
- Reset their Singpass
- Activate the CPF Safety Switch which disables CPF online services and stops in-progress and any future withdrawals from the member's CPF account
- Inform the CPF Board after lodging a police report
Members retain full control over their CPF accounts and can add or remove their Trusted Contacts at any time by logging on to the CPF website with their Singpass. Enhanced authentication using biometrics would be required to prevent unauthorised appointments. Trusted Contacts cannot view their appointer’s CPF account details beyond the brief information included in the notifications, and cannot transact on the appointer’s behalf. They serve only as an additional pair of eyes to monitor key account activity and have no legal obligations or liabilities. This design limits potential misuse as existing withdrawal safeguards remain in place to protect members.
For more information on the Trusted Contact notification service and how to appoint a Trusted Contact, members may visit cpf.gov.sg/trustedcontact.
Immediately stop in-progress withdrawals and disable access to CPF online services with CPF Safety Switch
The CPF Safety Switch enables members aged 55 and above to immediately secure their CPF accounts if they suspect they have fallen victim to a scam. Upon activation, the CPF Safety Switch will disable access to CPF online services on the CPF website and mobile app, stop in-progress withdrawals and prevent all future withdrawals from the member's CPF account. This means all disbursements to the member’s registered bank account will also be stopped. All incoming CPF contributions or recurring payments to organisations for housing or insurance will remain unaffected to ensure members’ CPF savings stay protected while minimising disruptions to their daily lives.
Eligible members may call the CPF hotline at 1800-227-1188 to activate the CPF Safety Switch. For added security, it can only be deactivated in person at a CPF Service Centre or via the CPF hotline during operating hours. For more information on the CPF Safety Switch, members may visit cpf.gov.sg/safetyswitch.
The CPF Safety Switch is a protective measure designed to immediately cease any unintended monetary outflows and prevent informational loss in the event that their Singpass has been compromised. Members who do not intend to make withdrawals in the short term and wish to take a precautionary approach to safeguard their CPF account against potential scams can opt to activate the CPF Withdrawal Lock instead. For more information, members may visit cpf.gov.sg/switchvslock.
Steps CPF members can take to protect themselves against scams
CPF Board will continue to review and enhance our suite of anti-scam measures to empower members in safeguarding their CPF savings, while striking a good balance between convenience and security. We will also continue collaborating with banks and other Government agencies to monitor the evolving scams landscape. While we strengthen our safeguards, the public continues to play a crucial role in combating scams.
Members should remain vigilant against evolving scam tactics. Recent scam tactics have included calls and WhatsApp messages impersonating CPF Board. Scammers may use automated voice recording systems or trick victims into staying on the call, such as the following – claiming that their Singpass was used to buy a SIM card at Changi Airport for committing crimes in China, accusing victims of being involved in crimes like money laundering and pressuring them to hand over valuables for “investigation”, or offering to fix issues with their CPF account. If members receive such calls claiming to be from CPF Board, they should stop and check the legitimacy of such calls. Calls from CPF Board are only made from 6227 1188, and we will never call using automated voice recording systems or any messaging apps such as WhatsApp. WhatsApp messages to members will be sent from “CPF Board Text Us” or “CPF Board”, with the blue verified tick.
Members should keep their contact details updated, as CPF Board sends members notifications whenever a transaction is made, and may also contact members to perform additional checks on their transactions for enhanced security. Members can check their account settings, such as contact details and registered bank account, via the CPF website and follow the prompts to review their account settings where relevant. If members are receiving CPF payouts into their registered bank accounts, they can also consider activating the banks’ Money Lock feature to safeguard their bank savings. For more information, please refer to cpf.gov.sg/antiscamtips or contact CPF Board at cpf.gov.sg/service/contact-us.
1Existing anti-scam safeguards include only crediting CPF savings to bank accounts verified to belong to members, a default online Daily Withdrawal Limit of $2,000, the CPF Withdrawal Lock, and enhanced authentication measures and cooling periods for high-risk transactions.
2Important transactions refer to CPF lump sum withdrawals for immediate retirement needs and updates to daily withdrawal limit, bank account details and contact information.