DepEd warns against caller who sounds like Luistro

THE DEPARTMENT of Education on Monday warned the public about an individual posing as Education Secretary Armin Luistro who is soliciting donations from the DepEd’s various partner organizations.

The scam was discovered after five DepEd regional offices reported that a man that sounded like Luistro called them up asking for the contact numbers of the DepEd’s various contractors, suppliers and industry partners.

Posing as Luistro, the scammer then called up these organizations asking for donations for various charities.

Education Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Tonisito Umali Monday said the DepEd doesn’t solicit donations, especially for personal reasons, from its partners and contractors.

Umali said that should an individual or organization receive a call or solicitation letter supposedly from the DepEd for a particular project or event, they should “contact the DepEd to validate” its authenticity.

The DepEd said that so far it had not received any reports of donors making unwitting contributions to the scammer who used the mobile numbers 0977-7976819 and 0977-7976818.

The department has hundreds of partners in its various programs, such as the Brigada Eskwela. Should they and the public receive a similar call, the DepEd advised that they report it to their action center at 6361663 and 6331942 so appropriate action could be taken.