The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) advised the public to be extra vigilant and not to entertain calls from someone posing to be an employee of the Department.

 

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 the bank account number, in exchange for the release of an allegedly unclaimed COVID-19 cash aid. 

 

Relative to this incident, the DSWD reminded the public to refrain from giving their sensitive personal information to an unknown individual through phone or mobile call. The Department emphasized that it will not ask for such information pursuant to the Data Privacy Act of 2012. 

 

Meanwhile, the DSWD said that, at present, its financial and other COVID-19-related services are extended through the Department’s Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) located at the Central Office and in all DSWD Field Offices nationwide. CIU clients undergo an assessment to avail of the needed assistance.

 

Likewise, the Department reminded the public to only refer, inquire and send concerns to DSWD’s official Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/dswdserves or @dswdserves, which has over 1.1 million followers, regarding various services and programs of the Department.

 

For any similar incident, the public is advised to report it to the DSWD Agency Operations Center through email: aoc@dswd.gov.ph or 8888 Hotline. ###