THE Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) has issued a warning about the spread of online scams and fake news claiming that individuals can receive cash gifts by answering an online questionnaire survey.
DSWD-Davao Regional Director Vanessa Goc-ong confirmed to SunStar Davao that the agency does not distribute cash gifts without proper guidelines or in violation of laws governing the department. This clarification follows the surge of phishing links during the December 2024 holiday season.
In early January 2025, SunStar Davao observed that several Facebook users had shared an unverified link.
The link falsely claimed that individuals could receive P7,000 in cash assistance as part of the agency’s New Year’s gift.
It asked participants to answer four questions, including details about the DSWD’s background and role as a government agency, while also prompting them to share personal information such as age, gender, and location.
She urged the public to verify information through the DSWD-Davao Region’s official Facebook page to ensure they receive accurate and legitimate updates.
The agency continues to remind the public to remain vigilant and avoid engaging with unverified links or sources to protect their personal information from being compromised. DEF
