BSP warns vs fake papers

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued a warning against fake loan documents being peddled by scammers, saying these are not guaranteed by the central bank.
In a public advisory, the regulator denied any links to loan papers and deposit certificates being offered to individuals and corporates by people who claim to be employees of the BSP.
“The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas warns the public against fraudulent loan documents, deposit certificates, fund transfer documents or other commercial papers allegedly issued, secured or guaranteed by the BSP,” read the statement published on the BSP Web site.
These papers are apparently being offered to individual borrowers as well as to corporations and institutions, and carry imitations of the BSP’s seal and letterhead. The documents likewise carry forged or unauthorized copies of signatures of BSP officials for supposed “fund release orders.”
The papers are supposedly issued by the “Treasury Department Staff” but do not carry the name of a certain employee or official.
“Scammers claim that such documents will facilitate financial transactions in favour of the recipients, in exchange for confidential personal or corporate information, and subject to fees or charges,” the BSP added.
“For your protection, do not believe claims of unexpected monetary gain.”
The central bank has clarified that they do not issue or guarantee any commercial products of this sort and do not transact with the public “at random.”
Any offers or encounters with these parties should be reported to the BSP’s Financial Consumer Protection department, the central bank said.
The BSP stands as the country’s sole monetary authority and regulator of the banking system. — Melissa Luz T. Lopez