DOE warns public about fake department employees asking for money

Department of Energy (DOE) | FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) has warned the public against people pretending to be department employees asking for money to process documents in the agency.

In its advisory on Monday, the DOE said that it had received various scam-related complaints of people acting as DOE employees to request payments for documents.

“Various scamming complaints were received by the DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau of unscrupulous persons pretending to be DOE employees requesting payments for door-to-door delivery of License to Operate documents and other services,” DOE said.

The department said that it only sends the documents to the Philippine Postal Corporation or is available through actual pickup by the business owner or their representatives.

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“For the information of the public, the DOE only sends said documents via the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC) or through actual pickup by the business owner, or their authorized representative, and that no additional charges shall be applied for documents sent via PPC,” it said.

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“Accordingly, the DOE does not extend LTO validity to more than five (5) years and does not offer services for this extension,” it added.

The DOE also told the public to report any incidents through its telephone number or its emails, and said that people misrepresenting themselves to be associated with the DOE will be penalized.

“We advise the public, particularly the LPG industry participants, to immediately report the matter, or any similar unscrupulous acts, through telephone nos. (02) 88402130 or 88402184 or email [email protected],” the DOE said.

“All persons misrepresenting themselves to be authorized by or associated with the DOE or any of its officials shall be dealt with in accordance with the law,” it added.