Public warned vs fake SSS checks

MANILA, Philippines - The Social Security System is warning the public, especially small establishments, against unscrupulous individuals who are passing off fake SSS checks.

The warning was issued following a report from SSS La Union branch officer-in-charge Francisco F. Pentecostes that a phony check was encashed from a grocery store amounting to P9,000.

“We want to remind everyone to be more prudent in accepting SSS checks being encashed to them. The fake SSS check that was encashed may look authentic for someone who is not familiar with the SSS check. But if placed side by side with the real SSS check, one can see a lot of inconsistencies,” the pension fund said.

According to the SSS, the fake SSS check was allegedly issued by Land Bank of the Philippines Baguio City Branch but the account from which it will be drawn is from Land Bank Tarlac Branch.

“The SSS check also indicated two different account numbers and the signatures are not by authorized signatories of the agency,” SSS said.

The pension fund pointed out that authentic SSS checks only have one account number which is located above the check date and at the bottom part of the check, unlike the fake one which contained two different account numbers. The SS number of the member-payee is also printed on the check while such information is not found on the fake check.

Most importantly, the SSS president is the only signatory for all benefit checks issued by the SSS, the fund said.

The SSS La Union Branch has already cautioned  grocery stories and other establishments within the area of this kind of modus operandi and advised them  to call the SSS branch to verify the genuineness of the SSS checks before accepting any.