THE Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) in Bacolod City urged the public not to fall for the fake solicitation letters being handed out by minors in various areas in the city.

Sally Abelarde, social welfare and development officer IV of DSSD, said yesterday they were informed that several minors were roaming in various business establishments and residential houses with the fake solicitation letter that is asking donations for their sports uniform.

“Using the fake solicitation is one of the classifications of mendicancy, so the public should be aware to avoid giving money to this kind of modus,” she said.

On Thursday, some netizens posted on social media that there are teenagers roaming around in Bacolod, especially at night time and soliciting money for their sports uniform.

Abelarde said the business establishment or house owners should double check if the solicitation letter is authentic or not.

She said the City Government has an existing anti-mendicancy law, which forbids begging or soliciting of charitable donations by the poor or religious organizations in the streets.

“We need the cooperation of everybody for the successful implementation of the anti-mendicancy law. We can help those children, but it should be in a proper way,” she said.