Public warned vs fake SSS checks

The Social Security System (SSS) yesterday warned the public, particularly small business establishments, against individuals passing off fake checks supposedly issued by the pension fund.

The warning was prompted by a report from SSS La Union officer-in-charge Francisco Pentecostes that a fake check amounting to P9,000 was encashed at a grocery store.

“We remind everyone to be more prudent in accepting SSS checks. The fake 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 check was allegedly issued by the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)-Baguio City branch, but the payee bank was the LBP-Tarlac branch.

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

The SSS number of the member-payee is also printed on the check while such information is not found on the fake.

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

The SSS La Union branch advised business establishments to verify with them before accepting any SSS check.