The public was strongly warned against entertaining calls from individuals posing to be employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and claiming to be distributing “unclaimed” Covid-19 aid.
“A report from a concerned citizen was received by the Department that someone is using the name of DSWD over a phone call to get the victim’s vital information, specifically bank account number, in exchange for the release of an allegedly unclaimed Covid-19 cash aid,” said DSWD in a press statement issued on Thursday, July 21.
Following this incident, DSWD advised the public to be vigilant, reiterating that they will not ask for such information pursuant to the Data Privacy Act. While the department does extend financial and other Covid-19-related services, they stressed that clients must first undergo an initial “assessment” before they can avail the assistance.
Furthermore, DSWD urged the public to report similar incidents to their online services, agency center, and official hotline.