Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is once again warning the public against scammers posing as DSWD representatives who are circulating false messages promising cash aid ranging from PHP6,500 to PHP8,500 in exchange for personal information. The scam messages, circulated primarily through text messages and Facebook Messenger, require individuals to send their full name, contact number, and home address to supposedly be listed among the beneficiaries of an alleged DSWD program.
According to Philippines News Agency, in some instances, the scammers also require the victims to grant them access to their GCash account, allowing the perpetrators to siphon money from the unsuspecting individuals. DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao clarified that the messages are fraudulent and have never been authorized by any office of the department.
'These messages are clearly a scam. The DSWD does not randomly select beneficiaries through text messages or private chat. And we do not ask the public to provide personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, or one-time passwords (OTPs) to receive assistance,' Dumlao said in a statement on Tuesday.
The DSWD spokesperson noted that similar scam messages first surged in December 2025 during the holiday season, and are once again gaining traction from January to February this year, with several social media posts by netizens warning others after they themselves have been targeted or have been actually scammed. She stressed that all legitimate DSWD assistance programs, such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), follow a clear process and are implemented by the department's social workers and development staff, either in coordination with local government units (LGUs), social workers, or its accredited partners.
'All official announcements regarding DSWD programs are released only through our verified channels. If an offer sounds too easy or asks for sensitive information, that is already a red flag,' Dumlao said.
The DSWD urged the public to verify information only through its official communication platforms such as the DSWD official website: www.dswd.gov.ph and official Facebook page: facebook.com/dswdserves. The DSWD also encourages victims of scams to immediately report the incident to the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, and to notify the DSWD through its official channels to prevent falling victims to scammers.
