GSIS Checks

Public warned against fake GSIS checks

Jani Arnaiz
Inquirer News Service

MAASIN CITY-The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has warned the public against fake GSIS checks after owners of a furniture shop here became the latest victims of a modus operandi involving fake checks.

Francisco Ang and his wife Tita, owners of Tita's gift shop, said two men went to their shop in the morning of Aug. 6 and asked if they could purchase some items using their GSIS checks.

They identified themselves as Ramon Rosales and Paulo Magat and claimed they were from Malitbog town, about 45 km south of here.

They said they were the payees of two checks worth P44,410, which came from their salary loan from the GSIS.

One check was dated July 26, 2005, valued at P25,800, while the other was issued on July 22, 2005, worth P18,610.

The couple agreed. The two then endorsed the two checks and wrote down their addresses and mobile phone numbers at the back of these checks.

They then bought items worth P23,000. The Ang couple gave the two P21,410 in cash as change for their P44,410.

The two men, however, did not take the items with them when they rode their motorcycle. Instead, they told the Angs that they would come back as soon as they could find a vehicle to transport their purchases.

The two, however, did not return to the furniture shop. The Angs repeatedly called the cellular phone numbers listed at the back of the checks, but there was no reply.

The couple became suspicious and called a nearby GSIS office to inquire about the checks.

Fortunately, the cashier was at the GSIS office, said Socrates Maderazo, GSIS-Maasin legal counsel.

He said the checks looked real because they appeared to have the proper markings and name of the signatories.

But when the cashier held the checks, she said they were fake because the paper was thin compared to the genuine checks.