I have a genuine query which I very recently came across, and I solicit some views on the same from the learned experts of this community.

During the generation of a new UAN for a new employee, giving a Mobile Number is not mandatory. So, suppose if the employer skips giving the mobile number or unknowingly gives a wrong mobile number, what will be the consequences?

The employee, on the other hand, works for a very short tenure, probably less than a month, and the UAN number is not mentioned on his payslip. And then, he left. Even if he doesn't have the UAN, he has the option of getting his UAN number using the "Know your UAN" facility under the EPFO member portal where he has to input Aadhar/PAN, Name, DOB, and mobile number (Remember, all of these are mandatory to retrieve the UAN number).

Now, if the employer puts a wrong mobile number or doesn't put a mobile number at all, my query is: does the employee still get his UAN number by inputting his own mobile number? (I'm assuming the mobile number that he has put is different than the one the employer had put at the time of generating the UAN.)

My understanding is YES, even if the mobile number doesn't match, he can get his UAN number as the mobile number is used only to send the PIN. Name, DOB, KYC data have to match with EPFO records, but if the employer made a mistake by putting the wrong mobile number, the employee can still retrieve his UAN from "Know your UAN" using his original mobile number.

I'm looking forward to receiving some views on the same. I have not initiated this discussion for my own learning purposes; I have seen 2 cases where the ex-employer didn't provide the UAN, and the employees are still finding it hard to retrieve their UANs. Can someone shed some light on this topic, please?

From India, Kolkata
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Dear Friends,

I too have a similar problem. Few employees do not have their mobile numbers registered with EPFO, and the "missing detail" link on the EPFO unified portal does not provide the facility to update mobile numbers/email IDs. Can the mobile number be registered now with a joint declaration by the employee/employer (similar to the joint declaration for minor corrections in names)? Is there any way to incorporate the employee's mobile number/email ID in their PF accounts?

Regarding Mr. Arnab's query, this is my opinion: (a) The previous employer has no right to withhold the UAN/ESI IP numbers from their employees. The employee should formally approach the previous employer again with a letter/email, possibly followed up by your company. (b) As a policy, it is best to populate all fields in EPFO/ESI portal (even those that are not mandatory) to ensure that the records are complete and accurate as of the enrollment date. I have started ensuring this in my organization, and such enrollments are conducted in the presence of the new employee during their induction process for verification of details. (I have observed that, at the operational level, there has been a lackadaisical attitude towards such enrollments, leading to problems for the employees later on... Just my observation.)

Regards, Arun

Regards, Arun

From India, Kochi
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Glidor
725

Mobile number given or given wrong does not matter unless the employee activates his UAN. At the time of submission of the mobile, the portal asks for the correct mobile number, and upon successful OTP verification, the given mobile is automatically populated in the UAN.

Employers have the least role in mobile activation; it is fully in the hands of the employee.


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sdvrg
20

Hello U.S. Sharma sir,

I want to transfer my PF amount from my previous company to the current company. At my previous company, the HR mentioned my Aadhaar card number, and my current company's HR mentioned my bank account number. So, there is a mismatch that occurs when I apply for the transfer.

Please tell me, sir, how I can avoid this mismatch to transfer my amount from the previous to the current PF account.

Regards & Thanks.

From India, Jalalpur
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My husband is also facing the same problem. He had PF amounts with previous companies, which were transferred to the company he recently left. Now, he is not working anywhere and is trying to find another good job. He is attempting to withdraw the PF amount, but the mobile number mentioned is from the previous company, which he no longer has access to. The OTP will be generated for that specific number only, which we no longer possess. Can anybody help us in withdrawing our PF amount?

Please inform me.

From India,
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