The group operates by sending a text message congratulating the cell phone owner for winning P300,000 in cash plus a Starex van. The message continues, "Call the number used for further details." The message is supposedly from a certain Eddie Go of Masumi Corp. The number used varies although one of those that has been already used is 0920-7631005.
Upon calling the given number, the supposed winner is instructed to submit PUK numbers, two valid IDs, and a residence certificate as proof of ownership of the mobile phone. The supposed winner is also asked to deposit a processing fee of P6,100 to a particular account in a specified bank before noon of the same day.
The DTI has found out the given bank account is closed as soon as the amount is deposited.
DTI-Cebu has already enlisted the help of the local office of the National Bureau of Investigation and the National Telecommunications Commission to stop this scam and catch the people behind it.
In general, consumers should be wary of such text messages. Here are two useful tips.
• You can’t be declared a winner of a contest or special promo that you didn’t join. As a precaution, check if the contest or promo is registered with the DTI.
• Legitimate contests or promos do not collect processing fees from their winners.
Q. Fermin Minorca of Rizal writes: "My friends and I went to a beach resort a few months ago. Although customers are allowed to bring food and drinks into the resort, I bought one 600-milliliter bottle of mineral water from the resort’s restaurant. On our way home, I decided to drop by the grocery store and buy another 600-milliliter bottle of water. We had three more hours of travel and we were running out of water. When I compared the new bottle with the one I purchased from the resort, I noticed that the latter was smaller in size. However, both claimed to contain 600 milliliters of water. What kind of violation did the resort’s supplier commit? Where can we report such violations?
A. Such mislabeling is called quantitative declaration and involves misdeclaration or false description of the type of ingredients used, quantity or volume of the product, processes used, and origin of the product or its ingredients.
In this particular case, a complaint may be filed with the legal information division of the Bureau of Food and Drugs (telephone nos. 807-0716 or 842-4592). If the problem involves a water refilling station, the consumer can file a complaint with the local government unit.
(You may send your consumer complaints and comments to the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection, DTI Bldg., 361 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City. Call us at our consumer hotlines at 896-5740 or 890-4938 or e-mail us at www.e-reklamo.net.ph)