DSWD warns public of scammers

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday, Jan. 19 warned the public against giving monetary or in-kind support to fraudsters and scammers who use fake solicitation permits and claim to benefit the needy sector.

It issued the warning following reports that a group—called the Department for the Blinds Welfare of the Philippines, Inc., is conducting a public solicitation using the Certificate of Fund Raising allegedly issued by the DSWD.

The certificate contained the forged signature of former DSWD Field Office III Director and now Assistant Secretary Marites M. Maristela.

Maristela said the use of a fake Certificate of Fund Raising, using her name, is illegal and unauthorized.

She also vehemently denied the authenticity of the certificate.

The DSWD official lamented that there are kind-hearted individuals and families who fell victim to the group’s illegal activities.

Maristela appealed to the public to help the department prevent the group from further victimizing people by reporting to the nearest DSWD office or police station if anyone with a fake certificate approached them.

The DSWD also advised the public to verify the legitimacy of any solicitation campaign with the agency before providing any kind of assistance.

This precaution is not intended to undermine the generous spirit of Filipinos, but to ensure that public solicitation is not taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals and groups but actually benefits the poor sector.