In a significant crackdown on financial fraud, the Federal Police of Brazil, alongside the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU), launched Operation Sem Desconto on April 23, 2025. This operation unveiled a billion-dollar scheme involving unauthorized deductions from the pensions and retirements of beneficiaries of the National Institute of Social Security (INSS). Investigators have estimated that this fraud has led to losses of approximately R$ 6.3 billion between 2019 and 2024, impacting over 1.2 million retirees and pensioners.
According to the CGU, many beneficiaries reported that amounts had been withdrawn from their monthly payments without their consent, primarily for associative monthly fees and consignment loans that they did not recognize. Out of 7.6 million beneficiaries with some form of monthly discount, a significant number claimed they had never authorized these charges.
The operation resulted in the removal of six public servants from their positions, including Alessandro Stefanutto, the president of the INSS, who was subsequently dismissed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The fraud was reportedly facilitated through the use of false signatures of INSS beneficiaries in the authorization of these associative discounts.
For those concerned they may have been victims of this fraud, the first step is to check their payment statements through the Meu INSS app or website. Beneficiaries can log in using their Gov.br credentials and access the "Extrato de Pagamento" section to view all deductions made from their benefits.
To verify if any unauthorized discounts have occurred, users should:
- Log in with their CPF and Gov.br password.
- Click on "Extrato de Pagamento" on the homepage.
- Select their benefit number.
- Review the discounts listed, particularly looking for any associative fees or loans that seem unfamiliar.
If beneficiaries find any irregularities, they can request the cancellation of these unauthorized deductions directly through the Meu INSS platform. The process includes:
- Accessing Meu INSS and selecting "Novo Pedido".
- Searching for "Excluir mensalidade" to find the appropriate option for removing associative fees.
- Following the on-screen instructions to complete the request, which may involve attaching supporting documents.
Additionally, those who wish to reclaim any funds that have been deducted without authorization can contact the respective association or entity responsible for the charge. They can do this either by calling the 0800 number typically provided on their payment statement or by emailing [email protected]. It’s essential for beneficiaries to explain their situation and request a refund of the deducted amounts. The INSS may require documentation to support claims of unauthorized deductions.
Complaints regarding these fraudulent charges can also be filed through the Fala BR platform or the consumer.gov.br portal, which allows individuals to report issues directly to the government.
The scale of this fraud has raised alarms among government officials and the public alike. The investigation, which included the execution of 211 judicial warrants for search and seizure, involved around 700 federal police officers and 80 CGU officials. They targeted several states across Brazil, including Alagoas, Amazonas, and São Paulo, among others, seizing assets worth over R$ 1 billion and executing six temporary arrest warrants.
As beneficiaries navigate the process of checking their accounts and seeking refunds, the INSS has assured that those affected will be entitled to compensation, although each case will be evaluated individually. The government is also working on creating a dedicated channel for beneficiaries to request reimbursements for unauthorized deductions, with more details expected to be released soon.
This situation highlights the vulnerabilities within the INSS system and the need for greater oversight to protect beneficiaries from unauthorized charges. The operation has not only exposed a significant financial scandal but also underscored the importance of vigilance among retirees and pensioners regarding their financial statements.
Beneficiaries are encouraged to remain proactive about their accounts and to report any suspicious activity immediately. The recent developments serve as a crucial reminder of the importance of financial transparency and integrity in social security programs.
