When employees change jobs, they are sometimes issued a new Universal Account Number (UAN) instead of linking their existing one to their new employer. This results in the creation of multiple accounts for a single individual. The EPFO has issued guidance stating that if an employee discovers they have been allotted two UANs, they must take immediate action to rectify the situation.

To resolve this, employees are instructed to inform their current employer about the duplicate accounts. Additionally, they must contact the EPFO directly to initiate the process of merging the records into a single, active UAN. Failure to consolidate these accounts can complicate the withdrawal process, delay interest accrual, and increase the risk of losing track of retirement savings. Experts emphasize that the UAN is designed to be portable throughout an employee's career, and keeping a single number is essential for the seamless transfer of funds between employers.