The Supreme Court (SC) has raised the alarm over rising scam schemes using fake legal orders, notices and subpoenas, purported to be issued in the name of courts and judges.
“All courts use only official communication channels when issuing orders, notices, and other court-related documents. These channels may be verified at the respective websites of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, and the Sandiganbayan,” the SC said in a public notice issued April 23.
The SC also advised the public that for trial courts, issuances may be verified through the Trial Court Locator section of the Supreme Court website at: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/court-locator/
Furthermore, the Court also urged citizens to be vigilant and to report any suspicious documents, communications, and individuals claiming to be court personnel for proper investigation and action to the Judiciary Public Assistance Section through chiefjusticehelpdesk@judiciary.gov.ph.
In a media interview, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo also called on the public to be more discerning when receiving alleged court documents to avoid falling victim to scammers.
“Siguraduhin niyo na ang notisya ay totoo at tama. Magberipika kayo sa korte na sinasabi nila, doon kayo pumunta. Pwede din kayong magberipika sa Korte Suprema, makipag-ugnayan kayo sa mga Opisina ng Public Information Office para mapatunayan na ang mga notisya na natatanggap niyo ay may katotohanan o ito ay isang pekeng bagay na hindi niyo dapat paniwalaan,” the chief magistrate stressed.
(Make sure that the notice is genuine and correct. Verify it with the court mentioned; go directly to that court. You may also verify it with the Supreme Court by contacting the Public Information Office to confirm whether the notice you received is authentic or just a fake that you should not believe.)
“Iniingatan natin na magamit ang husgado sa maling paraan, magamit ang pangalan ng mga huwes sa mga walang katuturang bagay na ganyan. Sinasamantala ang kakulangan ng pagbeberipika ng ating mga mamamayan para alamin ang katotohanan sa mga bagay na dumarating sa kanila na ipinapadala sa pangalan ng mga hukuman at huwes,” he furthered.
(We are taking measures to prevent the judiciary from being misused, and to protect the names of judges from being dragged into baseless matters like these. These scammers exploit the failure of some of our citizens to verify the authenticity of documents or notices that are sent to them in the name of courts and judges.)
He also called on law enforcement agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to assist in identifying individuals responsible for circulating fake court documents.
“Panahon na para maging alerto tayo. Pangalagaan natin ang ating ari-arian at mga karapatan para hindi tayo mabiktima ng mga scammer na ito,” Gesmundo added.
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