Public cautioned vs 22 bogus DSWD socmed pages, websites

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday identified more than 20 fake social accounts and websites which it said have been victimizing and scamming the public using the agency’s name and its various social programs, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The DSWD took to social media to remind the public to be wary of the fake accounts and their accompanying disinformation and misleading information.

The accounts include the “DSWD 4Ps update 2023 all region, DSWD 4PS News Update, DSWD Financial Assistance, DSWD Educational Assistance Application Form, DSWD Support, Philippines Scholar 2022, and the Rex Gatchalian account in Facebook.

Also identified as fake Facebook accounts are the DSWD Ayuda at Pabahay ni BBM, Department of Social Welfare and Development-DSWD, DSWD 10K Cash Assistance PM me now, DSWD Contact Center, DSWD School Assistance, DSWD Payour (4PS MCCT RCCT UCT TCT), Pilipinas 4PSS, and 4PS All Region pages.

It also identified as bogus the DSWD Program and Government PH websites, along with YouTube channels Tita Eda, Mama Cherry Channel, Melvs Castle, and RICROD-PH.

“Sa panahon ngayon, mas magiging talamak pa ang pagkalat ng mga maling impormasyon. Kilatising mabuti at i-verify muna ang ating mga nababasa online. Huwag basta-basta maniwala sa mga content na hindi nanggaling sa credible at reliable source (During this season, the spread of wrong and misleading information will be rampant.

Scrutinize and verify first what you read online. Don’t just believe the content that does not come from credible and reliable sources),” the DSWD said through its Viber Community page.

“Sama-sama tayo sa paglaban sa mga maling impormasyon dahil sa DSWD, bawal ang fake news! (Let us work together in fighting wrong information because with DSWD, fake news is prohibited),” it added.

Social Welfare assistant secretary and spokesman Romel Lopez and Director Clarissa Lara Duran, in a short video posted in the DSWD’s official Facebook account, said the public should be more discerning and avoid the fake accounts, as well as report to the department if they encounter other fake accounts.

Lopez said public should block and report the