DepEd warns public on fund scam

A Department of Education (DepEd) official yesterday warned the public against people trying to use the name of education officials  to steal funds from DepEd offices.

"Please be warned. The office of Undersecretary Juan Miguel Luz has received reports of someone calling different DepEd offices, posing as Undersecretary Luz or Undersecretary Ramon Bacani and instructing people to transfer cash via Western Union, RCPI, or wire transfer," Luz said in his advisory released to the media yesterday.

"Please be informed, this is a scam," Luz stressed.

He said undersecretaries do not ask for funds from any DepEd office.

All schools and DepEd offices are advised to report to his office similar requests.

Luz also advised those who receive calls to write down the account numbers or any information given by the scammer so that their actions can be traced.

For years, several scams in the country have been made through text messaging or phone calls telling victims to deposit cash or send money through wire transfers to bank accounts.

The suspects face criminal charges when caught, government officials said. – Sandy Araneta