The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has issued a warning to the public regarding scam messages that impersonate Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez. These fraudulent communications have been reported to be sent through platforms like WhatsApp.
In its advisory, the DOTr clarified that neither the Secretary nor any officials will ever solicit money or conduct transactions outside the agency’s official channels.
The agency also urged the public to refrain from sharing sensitive personal information over the phone, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding personal data.
Collaboration with Law Enforcement
To combat this issue, the DOTr is coordinating with the Philippine National Police's Anti-Cybercrime Group and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious messages through the DOTr’s dedicated commuter hotline at 0920-964-3687.
The DOTr's warning coincides with similar alerts from other government agencies about scams exploiting their names to defraud people.
The public must remain vigilant against fraudulent messages and verify any requests for personal information or money through official channels.
Department of Transportation
In recent months, various government bodies, including the Commission on Elections and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, have alerted citizens about fake messages related to voter certifications and disaster relief.