DILG-Region 3 warns of scam callers asking for payment to conduct COVID-19 tests

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Central Luzon office has warned the public of supposed scam callers who will ask for payment before conducting  COVID-19 testing.

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In an advisory on Tuesday, the DILG Central Luzon office said that supposed scam callers will first tell their victim: “According to our contact tracing, you have been in close proximity to someone who has been tested positive for COVID-19.”

Scammers will then tell the victim that he/she must self-isolate and must undergo COVID-19 testing within 72 hours.

But before the victim can undergo “testing,”the scam caller will ask for the former’s card number, saying that the test kits and results would cost $50.

“If you refuse to give them your bank card/credit card details, they threaten to say that there are penalties for not complying,” the DILG Central Luzon office said of the scam.

“So, please be wary. And if you know any vulnerable people who would fall for this scam… alert them to it,” the agency added.

The DILG is the lead agency in the contact-tracing efforts to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

At present, the Philippines now has 85,486 COVID-19 cases, with 1,962 deaths and 26,996 recoveries.

JE