By Jose Cielito Reganit
MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is warning the public about the circulation of scam messages on the social media application Messenger that invite individuals to provide their contact numbers in exchange for PHP8,000 in cash assistance.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao stressed that the agency6 will never send messages to beneficiaries asking for their personal details, including contact numbers, in exchange for financial assistance.
“Ang DSWD po ay hindi humihingi ng personal na impormasyon sa pamamagitan ng text o private messages sa mga social media accounts kapalit ng cash assistance. Ang biglaang paglabas ng ganitong mensahe ay hindi lehitimong paraan ng DSWD sa pagbibigay ng kahit na anong tulong o assistance (The DSWD does not ask for personal information through text or private message in social media accounts in exchange for cash assistance. The sudden emergence of such messages is not the legitimate way that the DSWD distributes any kind of help or assistance),” Dumlao said in a news release on Tuesday.
She reminded the public that malicious individuals often take advantage of crises to collect personal data and facilitate fraudulent activities. Scammers also send text messages pretending to be a beneficiary’s relative, instructing them to join a group chat or sign up for a specific list to avail of financial assistance.
She further urged beneficiaries to block and report accounts or phone numbers initiating such scams to prevent further fraudulent incidents.
“Bago po tayo mag bigay ng impormasyon o mag click ng link sa mga nag cha-chat sa atin, siguraduhin po muna natin na legit accounts ito. Kung galing po ito sa DSWD ay dapat nagmula ito sa official accounts ng DSWD na may (Before giving information or clicking a link to those chatting with us, let us first make sure that the account is legit. If it is coming from the DSWD, the message should come from its official account with a) verified badge,” Dumlao said.
She urged the public to coordinate and seek assistance only through the DSWD field offices in their regions, Local Social Welfare and Development Offices in their cities and municipalities, or the official DSWD website and Facebook page.
“Tandaan po natin, bukas po ang ating mga programa at serbisyo at hindi po ina-allow ng DSWD ang mga backer para lang makakuha ng ating assistance. Wala rin pong bayad ang ating mga serbisyo at lagi pong dumadaan sa tamang proseso ang tulong na ating ipinapamahagi (Please be reminded that our programs and services are open to the public, and the DSWD does not allow backers to avail of our assistance. Our services are also free of charge and the assistance we distribute follows proper process),” Dumlao said.
The DSWD continues to fight misinformation and disinformation through its Tamang Tulong sa Tamang Impormasyon (3Ti) campaign.
The 3Ti campaign actively encourages all beneficiaries to follow the official DSWD social media pages (@dswdserves) and website (www.dswd.gov.ph), and to rely solely on official announcements regarding service availability. (PNA)
