IRDAI alerts public to fraudulent consumer education website

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has alerted the public to a fraudulent website that is masquerading as IRDAI’s official consumer education website, inducing policyholders to make premium payments online and collecting their personal details.

“It has been observed that the fraudulent website, https://policyholdergov.org., is misusing the official emblem and icons of IRDAI, the Department of Financial Services, india.gov.in, and the Council of Insurance Ombudsman. Further, the website has been found to be engaged in unauthorised activities such as attempting to induce policyholders to make premium payments online and collecting their personal details,” the insurance regulator said.

IRDAI does not collect premium, take money for the settlement of claim, or facilitate any financial transactions on its website. The official consumer education website of IRDAI exists only to provide authentic information to policyholders on insurance awareness, their rights and grievance redressal options. IRDAI’s official consumer education website can be assessed with the URL: https://policyholder.gov.in., it said.

The matter, pertaining to the fraudulent website, has been escalated to the concerned authorities for urgent and appropriate action. The general public is advised to refrain from accessing or engaging with the fraudulent website and to rely only on the IRDAI’s official portals, the regulator said.