The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has issued a warning that the agency does not offer fuel assistance via text message.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian previously clarified that claimants should appear physically to get their financial assistance to ensure that no ghost beneficiaries will take over the aid.

“Now, yung sinasabi niyong patay na, made-detect natin yon kasi nga, kaya nga physical yung payout, hindi yung ide-deposit nalang namin sa account,” he said during the cash assistance rollout for NCR-based tricycle drivers

[“Now, regarding your concern about the deceased [driver/s], we will be able to detect that, that’s why the payout is physical rather than a direct deposit into an account.”]

The agency emphasized that financial assistance is distributed personally to claimants based on the lists issued by LGU, LTFRB, and TNC. They also noted that they do not use online applications and links to release the financial aid.

The DSWD cautioned the public against clicking any links from the text message and advised them to avoid giving personal information as a safety measure against scams.