- CHERYL G. CRUZ
Retiree-pensioners of the Social Security System in Negros Occidental are being warned against fixers and scammers.
In its advisory Sept. 17, SSS said it received information recently that individuals on board a white van have been roaming the barangays of La Castellana, Negros Occidental, and enticing pensioners to apply for pension loan.
The group’s modus is to allow pensioners to ride in the van and accompany them to an SSS branch to apply for loans. They will then get the cash card of the pensioner where the loaned amount will be deposited.
The pensioners who were victimized said they received a smaller amount than what was approved in the pension loan.
The SSS clarified it does not conduct visits to barangays to offer loans. The processing of the pension loan application should be done personally by the pensioner and is for free.
A processing fee of P25 is then deducted from the approved pension loan amount for the Quick Card or Cash Card, the agency said.
For more details, contact the SSS Bacolod Branch at 034 433-2293, SSS Bacolod East Branch 034 441-6599, SSS Main Office Hotline number 1455/toll-free number 1-800-10-2255777 or e-mail Business and Development Loans Department bdld@sss.gov.ph, bacolod@sss.gov.ph or bacolod-east@sss.gov.ph.-CGC
