DSWD warns against TikTok, online scams offering educational aid
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday, July 9, warned the public anew regarding online scams on platforms like TikTok, which falsely promises of educational assistance supposedly from the agency.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, also the agency’s spokesperson, urged the public to be vigilant and not to engage with social media content from unofficial DSWD accounts.
“These pages and groups contain fake information that aims to mislead the public or, even worse, gather personal information which can be used by online scammers to perform theft,” Dumlao said.
She reiterated that individuals seeking financial aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program must undergo interviews and assessments conducted by DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Units.
“The financial assistance is extended only through the agency's Crisis Intervention Unit/Section located at the Central Office and in all DSWD Field Offices nationwide,” Dumlao said.
The AICS program is one of the DSWD’s frontline services that offers a wide range of services, including cash assistance for food, transportation, medical services, funeral expenses, and other essential needs.
Eligibility is determined through assessment by the attending social worker.
Regarding educational assistance, the DSWD implements the “Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program,” which is the agency’s reformatted educational assistance initiative.
“We remind our citizens to always check your sources of information online and engage only with official government websites and social media pages with verification check marks,” Dumlao said.