Nikhil rana

Monday, April 14, 2025

All You Need to Know About Provident Fund (PF): Balance Check, Withdrawals, and Common Frauds

The scale factor by nik

If you’re a salaried employee in India, your Provident Fund (PF) is one of the most important savings tools for your retirement. Knowing how to check your PF balance, download your EPF passbook, or even withdraw money from your EPF account can help you plan your finances better.

Let’s simplify it all for you! This guide will help you with everything — from checking your PF balance to understanding how to claim your provident fund.

📞 PF Balance Check Number

One of the easiest ways to check your PF balance is by giving a missed call.

Dial 9966044425 (from your registered mobile number)
You will receive an SMS with your PF balance.
Make sure your UAN is activated and linked with your bank account, Aadhaar, and PAN.

✅ This method is free and works even without internet access.

📲 PF Balance Check EPF Passbook

You can check your balance using the EPF Passbook on the EPFO portal:

Go to: https://passbook.epfindia.gov.in
Login with your UAN and password
Select your member ID to view/download your EPF passbook

📘 Your passbook will show monthly contributions from you and your employer, along with interest earned.

📱 EPF Passbook Balance Check via UMANG App

You can also check your EPF passbook balance using the UMANG app:

Download the UMANG app from Play Store or App Store
Go to EPFO section → Click on "View Passbook"
Enter your UAN and OTP

This is a user-friendly option and works great on smartphones.

🧾 Provident Fund Balance Check – Online & SMS

Here are all the official ways to check your provident fund balance:

SMS: Send EPFOHO UAN ENG to 7738299899
Missed Call: 9966044425 (as mentioned earlier)
UMANG App
EPFO Website: www.epfindia.gov.in

Change "ENG" in SMS to your regional language code (like HIN for Hindi, TAM for Tamil, etc.)

👨‍💼 Check Employee PF Balance

As an employee, you can check your PF balance using these details:

Your UAN (Universal Account Number)
Registered mobile number
Your EPFO portal login credentials

Don’t have your UAN? Ask your HR department or visit: https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface/

💰 Check EPF Amount – Monthly Contributions & Interest

When you log into your EPF passbook, you'll see:

Your contribution
Employer’s contribution
Interest earned

This total amount is your EPF amount, which you can claim or transfer when you change jobs.

💡 How to Claim Provident Fund

Here’s how you can claim your PF online:

Log in to https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/
Go to "Online Services" > "Claim (Form-31, 19 & 10C)"
Enter your details and submit

🔐 Make sure your KYC (Aadhaar, PAN, bank details) is updated for smooth processing.

Can I Withdraw Money from EPF Account?

Yes, you can withdraw money from your EPF account under certain conditions like:

Retirement
Unemployment (2 months or more)
Medical emergencies
Home loan repayment
Marriage or education (after 7 years of service)

Can We Withdraw Money from EPF Account Partially?

Yes, partial withdrawal is allowed for specific reasons:

Up to 90% of PF for home loan
50% for marriage or education
Medical withdrawal has no service requirement

✅ Use Form 31 for partial withdrawal on the EPFO portal.

🧭 Quick Reference Links

Service	Link
EPFO Portal	www.epfindia.gov.in
EPF Passbook	passbook.epfindia.gov.in
UAN Member Portal	unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in
UMANG App	umang.gov.in

🚨 Beware: PF Frauds by Employers and HR

Unfortunately, PF-related frauds are common, and many employees become victims. Here’s what to watch for:

🕵️‍♂️ Common PF Scams by Employers:

Deducting PF from your salary but not depositing it with EPFO
Delaying UAN creation or KYC linking
Providing fake PF contribution numbers
Not showing correct basic salary to reduce PF amount

✅ How to Stay Safe:

Regularly check your PF passbook
Confirm with EPFO whether your UAN is active
Ensure your Aadhaar and PAN are linked
Use the EPFO grievance portal to report issues: https://epfigms.gov.in/

🧾 You can also raise a complaint via the PG Portal (Public Grievance): https://pgportal.gov.in/

🧠 Some usefull Tips - the scale factor by nik

Always activate your UAN as soon as you join a new job.
Link your UAN with your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account.
Don’t depend only on your HR. Keep checking your PF balance yourself.
In case of fraud, report to EPFO immediately.

Your PF is your safety net for the future. Regularly checking your PF balance, understanding your EPF passbook, and knowing how to claim or withdraw money ensures you're always in control of your hard-earned money.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

🧠 Your Brand Isn’t What You Say It Is. It’s What People Google About You.

Your brand is not what you say it is. It’s not your mission statement, your logo, or your company’s Instagram feed. It’s how your audience perceives you—and most importantly, what they Google about you - THESOCIALFACTORBYNIK

The Age of Google: Where First Impressions Are Made

We’ve all heard the phrase “first impressions matter.” But here’s the truth no one’s telling you: In today’s world, first impressions are made on Google, not at your first meeting or through an elevator pitch. In fact, according to a study by Forbes, over 70% of consumers research a brand online before making a purchase. If you're not showing up, or worse, showing up with the wrong message, guess what? You've already lost the game.

So, here's the million-dollar question: What does your brand show up as on Google?

Google has become the brand’s new front door. And if that door is dusty, cluttered, or misaligned with your true identity, the visitors won’t even knock. Your brand is not what you say it is—it’s what your customers find when they search for you.

The Power of Online Search: Google is Your Brand’s First Date

Just like you Google potential dates before a first meeting, your customers are Googling you before deciding to make a commitment.

Harvard Business Review puts it perfectly: “Brand perception is no longer solely controlled by the company itself. It’s shaped by search results, reviews, and conversations happening online” (Harvard Business Review).

The problem is, most companies still treat their website as a static brochure. But today, Google’s search engine algorithms are the gatekeepers of your brand’s reputation. If you don’t optimize your online presence, your brand could be judged before your customers even visit your website.

What Does Google Think About You?

Here’s the hard truth: Your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is your brand’s reputation manager. If you don’t have a solid SEO strategy, you’re letting Google determine your fate.

Think about it. When someone types in your brand name, what comes up? The last thing you want is for negative reviews, outdated blog posts, or irrelevant articles to dominate the search results.

Forbes recently reported that 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine. So, if you’re relying solely on traditional marketing tactics like print ads or cold calls, you’re missing the boat.

But here’s the good news: You can control what people see. The right SEO strategy can ensure that the most relevant, positive, and compelling content ranks higher than anything that might tarnish your reputation. (Forbes article)

Your Brand Identity in Google’s Hands: It’s About Data, Not Just Design

Let’s get real: Your brand is an idea that lives in the mind of the consumer. And like it or not, that idea is shaped by what they find online.

TechCrunch highlighted how companies like Airbnb and Tesla don’t just build great products—they build strong digital footprints. Tesla doesn’t just have an electric car; they have a digital movement. Their brand is everywhere, from news articles to user-generated content to social media shout-outs. This creates a digital ecosystem that feeds Google's algorithms and ensures that positive, brand-boosting content appears front and center. (TechCrunch article)

So, how do you take control of your online reputation and own your Google search results? Here’s a blueprint:

3 Ways to Own Your Brand’s Google Search Results

SEO Optimization is Non-Negotiable
It’s 2025. If you don’t have an SEO strategy, your brand is invisible. Invest in creating keyword-optimized content—whether it’s blogs, press releases, or product pages. This will ensure that Google knows exactly what your brand is about. For example, if you're a digital marketing consultant, your pages should rank for “best marketing strategies” and “how to build a brand online.”
Build Consistent Brand Authority
No, it’s not just about getting backlinks. Build your authority with authentic content. Publish thought leadership pieces on platforms like Medium, LinkedIn, and guest blogs. Engage with your audience on social media. Share real value. Google will notice, and so will your customers.
Leverage Google My Business and Reviews
Google’s Local Business features are goldmines for brand reputation. Optimize your Google My Business profile, encourage positive customer reviews, and actively manage your online presence. When someone Googles your brand, a solid, positive profile with great reviews will definitely help seal the deal. (Times of India article on local SEO and reviews)

Branding Isn’t Just About What You Say. It’s About What You Do.

In conclusion: Your brand is no longer just about how you position yourself or how well-crafted your slogan is. It's about how your audience sees you online. And if they can’t find you, or worse, find inaccurate or negative information, your brand will be at a severe disadvantage.

The brands winning today aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets—they’re the ones that dominate search results and consistently deliver value online.

As Harvard Business Review wisely points out, “The only way to win the war for attention is to own the narrative in search results” (Harvard Business Review article). You can’t afford to let your competitors dictate your brand perception online. The ball’s in your court—take control of what people find when they Google you.

Engagement Boosters:

Poll: What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to managing your brand’s online presence?
(A) SEO Optimization
(B) Online Reviews
(C) Social Media Engagement
(D) Content Creation
Comment Prompt: How do you ensure your brand shows up in the best light on Google? Drop your tips below—let’s swap ideas!

Final Thoughts

Your brand is no longer what you say it is—it’s what Google says it is. So, next time someone types in your brand’s name, make sure they see the best version of you. Google is the world’s most powerful reputation manager—don’t let it control the narrative. Take charge, show up, and make sure the world sees the brand you want to be.