The Quezon City Government has issued a warning to senior citizens against individuals posing as gift-givers in an attempt to gain access to homes and commit theft.
In a public advisory, city officials urged elderly residents to remain cautious and avoid allowing strangers into their homes without proper identification and verification.
“Hinihikayat ang ating mga senior citizen na huwag basta-basta magbubukas ng pinto o magpapapasok ng mga hindi kilalang tao sa kanilang tahanan. Mahalaga ang kaligtasan, kaya’t makabubuting tiyakin muna ang pagkakakilanlan ng sinumang kumakatok o umiikot sa inyong komunidad,” the city government said.
Authorities also clarified that the local government does not distribute birthday cakes, debunking a scam tactic reportedly used by criminals to deceive potential victims.
“Sa halip, ang ibinibigay ng lungsod ay BIRTHDAY PACKAGES na naglalaman ng mga pangunahing grocery items tulad ng gatas, pasta at sauce bundle, biscuit, at iba pang produktong makatutulong sa kalusugan ng ating mga lolo at lola,” the statement explained.
According to officials, these birthday packages are distributed monthly through barangay offices based on official lists of registered QCitizens with senior citizen IDs. Each barangay follows its own schedule for claiming, either by beneficiaries or authorized representatives.
Residents were also advised to rely only on official communication channels, including barangay Facebook pages and websites, to avoid misinformation and fraud. For inquiries, the public may contact QC Helpline 122.
“Sa ating mga minamahal na QCitizen na lolo at lola, patuloy po kayong mag-ingat. May mga indibidwal na maaaring manamantala sa inyong kalagayan. Sa mga kaanak, hinihiling namin ang inyong pakikiisa sa patuloy na pagpapaalala sa ating mga nakatatanda tungkol sa kanilang kaligtasan,” the city government added.
Officials emphasized that vigilance, verification, and coordination with family members and local authorities are essential in preventing scams and ensuring the safety of senior citizens across the city.