BACOLOD City — The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has issued a warning to the public regarding a rising number of text scams and online fraudulent activities, in which unidentified individuals unlawfully use the names of Philippine National Police (PNP) officers to solicit money via online transfers.
The BCPO emphasized that the PNP does not engage in any form of solicitation—monetary or otherwise—through text messages, online platforms, or any communication channel. “Any such attempt must be considered fraudulent,” the office stressed.
Colonel Joeresty Coronica, city director of BCPO, has directed all personnel not to entertain or respond to any solicitation messages circulating online or via mobile phones. He reminded all units to remain vigilant and exercise caution to prevent falling victim to these scams.
“BCPO remains committed to protecting the community from fraudulent schemes. We urge the public to stay alert, verify information, and avoid sharing personal or financial details with unknown individuals,” he said. Reports or inquiries can be made by dialing 911.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) also issued a warning on the same concern. According to PRO-NIR, the fraudulent activities include fake text messages claiming to be from the PNP that are increasingly used to ask for money, gather personal information, or intimidate recipients.
The PNP advised the public to watch for the following signs of a scam: requests for money or personal information, messages containing threats or intimidation, incorrect grammar or informal tone, messages sent from unofficial numbers, and a lack of clear details about the supposed official.
To protect themselves, PRO-NIR recommends that the public do not reply to suspicious messages, avoid clicking on any links, report the incident to the nearest PNP station, block the sender, and call official hotlines to verify information
“The PNP does not ask for money, one-time pins (OTPs), or personal information through text. If you receive any suspicious message, report it immediately to the authorities,” the PNP reiterated./PN
