The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) warned the public Saturday against phishing scams and refuted multiple online posts claiming that the agency is giving away cash prizes ranging from P50,000 to P60,000 from its Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
The DSWD issued the stern warning after receiving a report of fake online posts showing that the agency is holding raffle draws and giving away cash prizes using the SAP funds.
“According to a report received by the Department, the posts are phishing for information by asking netizens to send their full name, address, and contact number to another FB account,” it said in a statement.
“DSWD urged the public to only refer to the Department’s official Facebook account, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Twitter account, @dswdserves; and to the DSWD website, dswd.gov.ph for updates and official information on its program and services.”
The DSWD had advised the public, particularly the beneficiaries of SAP, not to patronize those fake Facebook pages and groups that are spreading misinformation on SAP, and avoid giving their personal information to those people who introduce themselves as personnel of financial service providers (FSPs) or the DSWD.
“The Department appealed to the public to be vigilant and to refrain from participating in dubious activities perpetrated on social media by unscrupulous individuals,” the DSWD said. (Charissa Atienza)
