***UPDATE JULY 19 2015 – Looks like this is gaining popularity again as I am getting a lot of messages and comments about this. Please don’t panic. Most of the messages were asking for help and I am trying but I am not a lawyer and all my advise is just from my own experience and observation of the incident. If you are wondering what happened to us after this call? The answer is that nothing happened. The person never called again and I never bothered to call the numbers. Manila Bulletin themselves told me to just ignore it when I called their offices.
All I can tell you is not to panic and be smart. Please read my recent post which will give you some basic tips on what to do when you get a call like this – https://iamjulienne.com/blog/2015/07/melchor-flores-and-the-strange-phonecalls/
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We received a call yesterday (on our office landline) from a scammer details are below. Please read carefully so you know what to do when you receive a similar call. Also, read the comments below to see what other people experienced. Don’t forget to share your own experience!
The Philippine Star (or Newspaper) Scam
How it works: Someone called our land line claiming to be from Philippine Star (or it can be any media outlet). In our case, her name was Shiela. She said that a corporate lawyer (she cannot tell you who) will put an announcement in the paper regarding one of your employees (she gives the actual name of one of my employees!) She said that that employee violated some law (she will name the law) and her name will be published in the paper alongside with the company name. She says that our company’s reputation is at stake.
The catch: She will say, “Call this number ( 225-5999) so you can appeal to the editor in chief (Ray Espinosa) to stop the ad and save the reputation of your company from damage.”
Here are the things I asked her (and her corresponding answers):
1) Why are you doing this? – She said magandang loob lang. They are calling people just to let them know so they can save themselves. She talked like she was doing people a favor. To me it sounded like extortion and blackmail.
2) Who is Ray Espinosa? – He is the editor-in-chief. He can help you put a stop to the ad. (In reality, Ray Espinosa is the Chairman, according to Wikipedia, of PhilStar. I doubt he would care to speak to me or get involved in such trivial matters.)
3) When is the ad coming out? In what section? – She said Friday, Aug 8. She didn’t answer the second part.
4) What else can we do, the ad is already paid for? Does this mean we have to pay to stop it? – She said that we can definitely negotiate with the Editor in Chief. (Translation: Yes you have to pay.)
I said – okay I will call him. Thanked her and hung up.
I proceeded to Google and fact check everything she had said. The editor in chief of Philippine Star is not Ray Espinosa. Also, their phone number doesn’t match what she gave me. We took it a step further and called several of the numbers on the Philippine Star site trying to verify our mystery caller. No one could give us any answers. Many of them said that it was a scam and one that happens often. We even called the number she gave. No answer. I have some friends at PLDT and Globe, the number is not registered to them. Could be a super duo number. Who knows.
But how did they find out about us? Easy. Google. It’s so easy to Google the company and find one employee and then with that just make up a false story. In our case, our Employee was supposedly in trouble for Estafa.
But what if it’s true? There’s a possibility. IF it was true, then there’s not much I could do, right? Just wait to see what the accusations are and then talk to my employee. Take the internal steps to handle things. However, my logic is that if you can pay to stop the media from publishing something bad about you, then PNoy would pay to save his reputation. Criminals would pay to hide their wrongdoings. Celebrities would pay to stop circulation of their sex tapes. The newspaper would be empty. But no. Every day bad (though not necessarily true) things are published and the media loves that. They thrive on sensationalizing things. So this seemed like a scam to me.
Has this happened to you? Share your story in the comment box. The more who share, we can learn about the variations of this modus operandi. Awareness is key!
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
I always enjoy reading your blog….but it feel its been a year since the last time that you updated,this is one, well i think that you are busy and enjoying the real life….enjoy it is more fun that blogging….congrats!!!!
It happened to me earlier. Thanks for this. Now I don’t need to worry and feel threatened.
What happened to you is clearly a scam, but paying journalist is nothing new, this has happened to our company.
Our company got a bad write up in Inquirer one day, and the write up is clearly done by one of our competitors, for the contents are not true.
We confronted the journalist about the article and was told that someone “requested” for the article to be written up. The only thing we can do is file a case of libel against him and line up from the mountain of libel cases he has.
Sad to say we don’t know any journalist we can put a “request” on and we don’t have enough anyway for a “request” so we just left this to karma.
and karma was good to us, a few months later, we read in the newspaper that some people sprayed bullets to his house, nobody was hurt but hopefully he had learned his lesson
I’m sure Inquirer has got no hand in this, but I wish they do fact checking first before they publish some article.
Thanks for Sharing, Can’t Say.
That’s terrible, what happened to you and your company. I’m glad that karma has avenged you. I hope that this dirty journalist you speak of gets the message and stops being a jerk (to say the least.) Though I doubt it.
Hi Julienne, we experience the same evil work:
________________________________________
From: XXXXXX
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2014 8:11 AM
To: ‘advertising@philstar.com’; ‘editor@philstar.com’; ‘feedback@philstar.net.ph’; ‘tmendoza@philstar.com.ph’; ‘psngayon@philstar.net.ph’; ‘thefreemannewspaper@yahoo.com’; ‘banatnews@thefreeman.com.ph’; ‘peopleasia@gmail.com’; ‘marketing@philstar.com’
Cc: XXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: PHILIPPINE STAR – BLACKMAIL SCAM – Attn: Mr. James De Leon – Re: NOTICE TO PUBLIC OF ATTY. MELCHOR FLORES
Importance: High
TO PHILIPPINE STAR:
Further to my e-mail last Monday to our belief that the call, conversation, and notice to public, were authentic and really from Philippine Star PUBLISHING HO– USE, we came to realize, the non-publishing of the notice to public in reference to the following blog, that the incident took place, in our opinion, was a SCAM, BLACKMAIL, thus, PHILIPPINE STAR has to protect your own image and dignity, and the rights of your subscriber.
ALLEGED SCAMMERS / BLACKMAILERS:
People Involved:
Nathaniel Torres
June Valdez
James De Leon
Contact Details:
Telephone: 225-5999
Mobile No: 0939-9202838
Newspaper Blackmail Scam?
https://iamjulienne.com/blog/2014/08/newspaper-blackmail-scam/
By Julienne On August 7, 2014 • 4 Comments
We received a call yesterday (on our office landline) from a scammer details are below. Please read carefully so you know what to do when you receive a similar call.
The Philippine Star (or Newspaper) Scam
How it works: Someone called our land line claiming to be from Philippine Star (or it can be any media outlet). In our case, her name was Shiela. She said that a corporate lawyer (she cannot tell you who) will put an announcement in the paper regarding one of your employees (she gives the actual name of one of my employees!) She said that that employee violated some law (she will name the law) and her name will be published in the paper alongside with the company name. She says that our company’s reputation is at stake.
The catch: She will say, “Call this number ( 225-5999) so you can appeal to the editor in chief (Ray Espinosa) to stop the ad and save the reputation of your company from damage.”
Here are the things I asked her (and her corresponding answers):
1) Why are you doing this? – She said magandang loob lang. They are calling people just to let them know so they can save themselves. She talked like she was doing people a favor. To me it sounded like extortion and blackmail.
2) Who is Ray Espinosa? – He is the editor-in-chief. He can help you put a stop to the ad. (In reality, Ray Espinosa is the Chairman, according to Wikipedia, of PhilStar. I doubt he would care to speak to me or get involved in such trivial matters.)
3) When is the ad coming out? In what section? – She said Friday, Aug 8. She didn’t answer the second part.
4) What else can we do, the ad is already paid for? Does this mean we have to pay to stop it? – She said that we can definitely negotiate with the Editor in Chief. (Translation: Yes you have to pay.)
I said – okay I will call him. Thanked her and hung up.
I proceeded to Google and fact check everything she had said. The editor in chief of Philippine Star is not Ray Espinosa. Also, their phone number doesn’t match what she gave me. We took it a step further and called several of the numbers on the Philippine Star site trying to verify our mystery caller. No one could give us any answers. Many of them said that it was a scam and one that happens often. We even called the number she gave. No answer. I have some friends at PLDT and Globe, the number is not registered to them. Could be a super duo number. Who knows.
But how did they find out about us? Easy. Google. It’s so easy to Google the company and find one employee and then with that just make up a false story. In our case, our Employee was supposedly in trouble for Estafa.
But what if it’s true? There’s a possibility. IF it was true, then there’s not much I could do, right? Just wait to see what the accusations are and then talk to my employee. Take the internal steps to handle things. However, my logic is that if you can pay to stop the media from publishing something bad about you, then PNoy would pay to save his reputation. Criminals would pay to hide their wrongdoings. Celebrities would pay to stop circulation of their sex tapes. The newspaper would be empty. But no. Every day bad (though not necessarily true) things are published and the media loves that. They thrive on sensationalizing things. So this seemed like a scam to me.
Has this happened to you? Share your story in the comment box. The more who share, we can learn about the variations of this modus operandi. Awareness is key!
Yours truly,
XXXXXXXXXX
________________________________________
From: XXXXXXXX
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2014 1:29 PM
To: ‘advertising@philstar.com’; ‘editor@philstar.com’
Cc: XXXXXXXX
Subject: Attn: Mr. James De Leon – Re: NOTICE TO PUBLIC OF ATTY. MELCHOR FLORES
Importance: High
25th August 2014
PHILSTAR GLOBAL CORP.
Philstar Publishing House
6TH Floor, RFM Corporate Center Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City Philippines
13th Corner Railroad St., Port Area, Manila, Philippines 1016
Attn: MR. JAMES DE LEON
T: 225-59-99 / M: 0939-9202838
Dear Mr. James,
Further to our telephone conversation this morning, we, as a Philippine Star subscriber, appreciate and thank you for your kind gesture of notifying us the content of the advertisement (NOTICE TO PUBLIC) of Atty. Melchor Flores to be advertised in three (3) consecutive weeks starting on Thursday, 28th August which drags the name of XXXXXXXXX XXXXXX, INC. on the case he filed to our FORMER employee, XXXXXXXX in which XXXXXX is not a party or totally not involve in the case. For the record, XXXXXX is no longer connected with XXXXXXXXXXX, Inc. and its affiliates/subsidiaries since 26th March XXXX or 3 years ago.
We find the advertisement as a negative publicity and we kindly and formally ask you to ask permission/coordinate/advise the source (Atty. Melchor Flores) to strike out, edit the name of XXXXXXXXX to the said Notice to Public.
If you have further concerns or queries, please contact the undersigned.
Sincerely yours,
XXXXXXXXX
COLLECTION AGENCY ANG GUMAGAWA NG GANYAN, KUNG MERON KAYONG CREDIT CARDS, TELECOM ETC NA UTANG AT DI PA BAYAD MAKAKARANAS KAYO NYAN, TINGNAN NYO ANG MGA DEMAND LETTERS NYO GALING SA MGA AGENCY PARA MALAMAN NYO KUNG SAANG BANK KAYO TATAWAG IREPORT NYO KAAGAD YAN ANG ALAM KONG GUMAGAWA NYAN IS BERNALES AND ASSOCIATES PAKICHECK ANG LETTERS NYO KUNG MERON. MADAMI PANG AGENCY.
we just have encountered the same scenario scammer James De leon.
me just now, i received from same James De Leon..
this similar situation happens to me yesterday, somebody from the phil.star called at my work place about my alleged violation of pending case act 315 (w/c has an imprisonment of ten years) he wanted me to call Phil. Star head office phone number 225-600. So I called him and he explained to me that they will write an issue at the Phil. Star on the 3rd, 10th, and 17th of Dec. published by certain Atty. Melchor Flores. Mr. Ray Espinosa, told me that if this issue will come out I will be reported to the NBI, my company’s reputation and mine will at stake, I will be blacklisted by the bank and that I could end up loosing my job.
So I called Mr.Flores asking him what is this all about, and he asked me if I had some problems with the bank or stuff like that, so I answered no but I have an unpaid cc, then he told me to wait coz hes going to check their data base if my name is there, then he exclaim, ah yes you are in our data vase. he also told me that hes from cmap and their company name is AVI he told me that i need to pay the amount of 170,000.00 for my unpaid cc bill. but since i dont have the money, he took away the interests and everything and i just need to pay 60k. I told him that still i couldnt pay the whole amount, then he ask me to pay him partial of 15k. and that i need to pay the full amount in 15 days. Then i ask him that the publishing company wsnted to me to present “a letter of refuse” so that the guy from pulishing company wont publish an issue about me. Is this legit guys? im freaking out right now can i loose my job and be put to jail because of this?
Hi Sorry to reply so late. I am sorry to hear this is happening to you. I think they are blackmailing you. No you can’t go to jail and no you shouldn’t lose your job.
The same thing happened to us – same scammer Atty. Melchor Flores. Same stuff he said, one employee has violated some law and it will be published in some newspaper tainting the name of our business. Don’t get fooled. The guy’s number is 09175588185. Feel free what you want to do with it! Fortunately we found this blog before the scam went on.
Oh and one more thing an accomplice of his is ALFRED CAYABYAB, claiming to be the editor in chief of People’s Journal. His number is 09268261979. Remember the name and number, don’t get fooled.
hi ms julienne i want to know if mr melrchor flores is he a scammer or not because i have a same story like hopeless101 pls reply im so worried.
scammer.
Guys, I may be out of topic but I will take the effort to warn you as Filipinos flock to Australia. When someone from a third world country watch TV shows that feature Australia, They could not help to be curious to live a life of adventure and a pay generally higher than in their native lands. This is fact exploited by Qualifymenow, Qualifymefast, Qualifyme.edu.au to fool people interested in living and working in Australia. It may also be against the law for Qualify Me, to give assurance to those people expecting to be in Australia, but they still proceed with the act of vacuuming the money out of those people. They offer short courses to have your recognition of prior learning in Australia. Your trade skills must be recognized to get there. But one thing is that they take bloody money from people who could not get to Australia as the embassy
makes life a temporary bitch for them. They better return those cash. With the number of people scammed, they could run a charity for the starving people in Africa. If they don’t, somebody better hunt them down and feed them to the cannibals in the Congo.
Hi,
I just wanted to share that I’ve experienced the same incident, I work as an HR Associate, so you’ve mentioned the exact deal(modus) good thing I’ve gathered all of their info’s (not sure though if it was true) then again, I was kind of hesitant with regards why she’s “Sheila Madrigal” giving and or informing me with such details.. she couldn’t even handle formal conversation, telling me she’s calling in behalf of People’s Journal blablabla, and that there is a case filed against one of our employee blablabla, I asked our paralegal with regards the incident and told me that it can be one of the “SHARK” or SCAM.. But so as to make sure and verify, I did my research, glad I came across your page. Thanks for the info.
Hi Julienne,
Came across this blog because someone named Melchor Flores apparently filed a case against me regarding a bouncing check, which I was not aware of. In the first place, I don’t have a personal checking account so never had I issued a check to anyone. Now someone from DFA is bugging me at my company and my dignity is at stake. Please help.
Hi Mary Grace,
I am sorry for the late reply. Your comment got lost in the spam by accident. First of all, don’t believe them. Second of all, background check. Don’t worry, you will be okay. Be careful and make sure you check every info. Don’t believe what they say right at first.
Meron na pong bagong style sila.
This morning, someone from our barangay hall went to our house. Sabi ng pumunta may tumawag daw sa kanila na sabi may lalabas daw na warrant of arrest for my sister. Tapos tawagan daw ang number 225-5999 hanapin daw si PO4 Rodriguez (well, nagtaka na ako, wala naman PO4 na rank)..pero nag-panic na yung mom ko, she called the number. Yun nga, may kaso daw yung kapatid ko because of unpaid cc, nasa Makati RTC Branch 64 daw..at bukas daw lalabas ang warrant ng mangagaling sa kanila. Tinanong ng Mom ko,kung saan silang office or precint..sa QC. Dun na kame naguluhan, yung kaso nasa Makati at ang magaaresto sa QC..ang labo naman. Then they want to talk to my sister, para sabihin sa kanya kung anong gagawin.,nasa meeting yung kapatid ko. Kaya kinulit ng kinulit ng mommy ko, gusto nya daw makausap si PO4 Rodriguez, may operation daw. Then my other sister, tumawag sa kanila ulit, to verify at puntahan kung saan precint or office nila..ayaw nilang sabihin.
At dun talaga kame nagtaka. I tweeted PNPhotline to ask re ‘PO4 Rodriguez’ (kahit alam ko na walang PO4 na rank)..wala daw ganung rank. Then naghanap ako sa net, info re 225-5999 or ‘PO4 Rodriguez’. Then nakita ko ‘tong blog na ‘to..na yung number na 225-5999 ay ginagamit sa scam…and THANK YOU for that info.
Ayun! Confirmed, muntik na kame (esp my sister) mabiktima ng scam. Pumunta kame sa Barangay Hall namen, to clear our name plus to blotter. Sabi ng Brgy.,marami daw ganung tumatawag sa kanila.
Wow!! Thank you for sharing this information!! I will post this to my readers. Ang aggressive nila ha, pupuntahan ka talaga sa bahay? Wow.
Thanks for sharing. I have experienced it this morning. Yung sa amin naman taga CIDG daw yung tumatawag sa brgy captain namin and nakukulitan na daw siya kaya sinadya niya kami dito sa bahay. Nung nacontact ko sila CIDG police inspector Mendoza daw siya and may estafa case daw mom ko.. Landline number 02 9279907.. Tapos pinapatawag ako sa 024636991 RTC pasig para kausapin si atty arana, nung naka usap ko si atty sabi niya certain atty bonifacio abad daw ang nagfile ng case..kinabahan na ako kasi it seems na totoo talaga kasi he mentioned my dad’s name and uncle ko.. Kaya kinabahan na ako, he treatened me na baka may pumunta na sheriff and police dito to assess our porperties and they might take it from us. Tinawagan ko yung colonel na kakilala ko and he said na impossible daw na taga CIDG ang tumawag sa akin kasi ang debt daw is a civil case and it is not their job na maghabol ng tao na may utang. Kaya tinawagan ko yung friend ko sa Pasig para macheck ko sana kung si atty arana ba talaga nakausap ko. Sabi niya na experience niya din daw ito noon sa loan niya sa banko kaya wag daw ako magworry kasi collection agency daw yun threatening us. Tapos this afternoon. Tumawag ulit ang taga CIDG kuno kasi wala daw update from RTC blah blah blah. Sabi ko nakatawag ako kaso lang naubusan akong load kaya naputol. Kaloka na sila grabehh!!
The SSS scammer (LATEST SCAM STYLE):
May 20, 2015 (Wednesday): I received a call from my previous company. They were asking me a confirmation if I ever applied for SSS loan using their company because someone from SSS Main office called them and was looking for me. I answered them honestly that I haven’t applied any LOAN application especially in SSS and if ever I’ll apply for a SSS loan, I’m not going to use their company name bec. I’m no longer connected with them for almost 1 year. Realizing the fact that someone is applying a loan under my name and under the name of my previous company gave me a shock! I really panicked at first, wondering whoever uses my name for SSS loan application. They give me the tel. number and complete name of the person who called them. So I called the number to get some clarifications why I have an SSS Loan application even if I am not applying for any LOANS? The guy named RICARDO PASCUAL answered my call (he was also the person who called my previous company). This is the guy’s Tel. Number 433-8903. He introduced himself as the Legal Division OIC of SSS Main Office. He said that it’s not about the loan application; it’s about the discrepancy of my SSS contributions that may result to LOSING OF ALL MY SSS BENEFITS! Yes, you heard it right— all my benefits will be crazily LOST that easy as per Ricardo Pascual! I asked him surprisingly how and why it happened. He said that “FLORES GROUP OF COMPANIES” sued me! (funny right? Someone sued me for no REASON at all and he sued me via SSS Legal Division Office). He explained further that because of this case, my SSS Contribution has a discrepancy NOW! And emphasizing the its effect that I can NO longer use my benefits in SSS anymore! But RICARDO PASCUAL said that HE CAN HELP ME FIX my problem. Dahil nga raw eh nagma-magandang loob sya! He interviewed me and he was able to get the name of the new company I’m working with right now. He advised me to call Atty. Flores (962-3297) to get a recommendation letter so it will help fix my discrepancy and my benefits in SSS will be OK again. He said I need to settle this case soonest possible with the help of that lawyer.
I called my ex-officemate to tell her about the conversation we’ve had with RICARDO PASCUAL. And since SSS Main office is one of their client, I requested if they can call their client in SSS to check if RICARDO PASCUAL is an existing employee of SSS Main Office. My ex-officemate called me back quickly. She said that there is NO such name of RICARDO PASCUAL who is currently employed in SSS Main Office. And she also added that she had verified with SSS that “FLORES GROUP OF COMPANY” has NO power to hold my SSS benefits and NO ONE can ever do that to any of their SSS member.
So since I know that this is already a scam, I prefer not to call the lawyer or Ricardo Pascual either.
May 21, 2015 : My current Sales Manager received a call from a guy working in SSS Main Office—and it was Ricardo Pascual again. The guy was informing our Manager about my problem in SSS that someone sued me etc etc. I was wondering how he was able to get the number of our Sales Manager. Then i remember, during his interview last Wednesday, I was able to give him the name of the company I am working now. It is very easy to get our office contact details via Google. My Sales Manager advised me to just ignore them so I did.
May 22, 2015: Ricardo Pascual called me again angrily. He was interrogating me why I am NOT calling the Attorney. I said I was just busy since Wednesday (which is true) the reason why I cannot call Atty.Flores. I was also acting like I was hooked by their scam style. BUT after 2 hours, a caller with this number 579-2964, called our company’s security guard. The caller said that he is from Mandaluyong Police Station and was looking for me. Obviously guys, they just really want to get me terrified. BUT I know their style already. They CAN NOT scare me with their style.
As of now, I have already informed all my workmates here to just ignore any caller from SSS Main Office or from Mandaluyong Police Station either. BUT if ever, RICARDO PASCUAL will insists on calling me AGAIN he must be ready to whatever thing I can DO TO HIM.
Guys, be aware! Think first before you got hooked with the Scammers!
Happened to me last month. Somebody claiming that he’s from Peoples Journal called my mobile phone and said the same things. At first i thought it was a budol budol type scam were you are threatened and forced to pay for negotiations paying the agent not to release it. Until i connected all facts and figured out what these are all about.
Facts:
– i have an Eastwest credit card past due
– Prime Alliance collection agency is handling my account
– text message from “Legal Department” stating my past due amount and details of agent with 4 direct numbers including 09175588185
– i was accused of civil and criminal complain violating article 315 (estafa and swindling)
– text from Phil Star saying about the paid ads of me placed by an Atty. Because of a civil and criminal case filed against me. This was last year thinking it was a scam i disregarded it.
– the call received last month saying the same thing. Funny that the intro was i have a package from lbc with my former company’s address. Again, thinking it was a scam since i resigned 2 years ago i didnt accepted. But he called again (with the criminal case this time).
– he gave the number of Atty. Melchor Flores with the same numbers (09175588185)
– since he said they were able to talk to my former company, i called my former officemate to verify
– same story were given to my officemate. They will be also included to the ads and will ruin their reputation
What i figured out:
– True that they are blackmailers for you to pay your dues
– they are from the collection agency. They will do everything for you submit to them. And it is the reason why you wonder why they know your fullname or even the amount you owe the bank.
– it is not actually a “budol budol” type scam or even negotiating with the paper or publication. You are being threatened since you know you have your past dues.
Sharing these just for the reader’s info. If you have the same text, call or email messages received, atleast now you can breath and think straight on what to do. Honestly, they succesfully pushed my panic button! I know we are to settle our dues but this way of the collection agency i think is so wrong.
If i may also add, happened to my friend with Eastwest credit card also. So my view, NEVER GET A CREDIT CARD FROM EASTWEST. THEIR AGENTS WILL CURSE YOU AND SAY EVERYTHING FOR YOU TO TALK TO THEM IF YOU HAVE YOU PAST DUES.
Thank you for sharing! This is really informative. I will repost your experience to help others. 🙂
SOOOO TRUE! from Eastwest, mga bastos !
hi..just got this kind of call from someone working in People’s Journal named Kim Fernandez. The name Atty. Melchor Flores was also mentioned and he was from Flores Group of Companies (does this company really exist?). Kim Fernandez was also claiming the same complaint as mention in previous messages here. He/She also said about Article 315 of the civil and criminal case which according to him/here seemed to be a grave offense. As I searched on this, this is about swindling/estafa. Is not paying your credit card a form of estafa/swindling? I’m looking forward that someone will enlighten me on this. Thank you very much.
Google is your best friend. Find out if FLores Companies really does exist. The name is very generic, there could be a hundred Flores companies out there.
This kind of situation happened to me also, just right now, from peoples journal call me her name is ishin reyes, she said that my name will be published for notice on journal if i dont call atty melchor flores… he can stop the ad if i communicate with him… With this matter how to stop them calling here at the office, it threatens us and disturb us
i experienced the same thing just last June 17, 2015. when i woke up several missed calls registered on my phone. then when they called back i tried to answer and they asked me if im the person they are looking for i said NO but the lady kept on saying that they will publish my picture and name in the newspaper and i said why are you even telling me those things you’re not even sure if your dispensing info to the right person..then she continued, i hang up. then followed by this text below. they tried calling again i blocked the number..it is just disturbing and alarming. hope this stops. thank you for your blog! very helpful! more power to you.
ATTN:(my complete name)
This is from Philippine Daily Tribune. Regarding the paid advertisement “NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC” that we received against you with your pictures above. It will be published for 3 Sundays starting June 21, 28 and July 5, 2015. For further inquiries pls call 09358992462 / 02-2639627 look for Ms. Thelma G. Turija (Editor in Chief) or Ms. Cynthia Cunanan (OIC)
ATTN: (my complete name). This is from Philippine Daily Tribune. Regarding the paid advertisement “NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC” that we received against you with your pictures above. It will be published for 3 Sundays starting June 21, 28 and July 5, 2015. For further inquiries pls call 09358992462 / 02-2639627 look for Ms. Thelma G. Turija (Editor in Chief) or Ms. Cynthia Cunanan (OIC)
the same scenario happened to me today, somebody called me from peoples journal name Alfred, telling me that Atty.Melchor Florez want to published my name with my company because i have a civil/criminal case.. i decided not to call the numbers he was given, my office mate check the google about Melchor Florez and i saw this blog, my question is, if he call me again how i respond him.., and what can i do to stop him because it’s not the first time he called me, the first call is from sss name Ricardo but similar voice to Alfred from Peoples journal telling me that Mr.Melchor Florez was stopping all my benifits and he told me to call Mr.Florez emmediately but i did’nt did, then today i received a call again,..What should ido?
Good morning… I hope someone will read this right now because I happen to find this blog as I googled the name: Atty. Melchor Flores. I had a parallel experience with “hopeless”. Its just that im working with a public school Just last tuesday I received a txt msg from my dept head whos been looking for me and she asked me if i can come to the principal’s ofc
So after my class i proceeded to the ofc then we discussed the matter they told me that a certain Ms. Kaye De Guzman from the philippine star called stating that a notice to the public (with my name and the school’s name) will be published in three weekly consecutive issues of the phil.star.. so ms.kaye advised that to avoid getting the negative publicity and obtain an Affidavit of Refusal, i shl contact Atty Melchor Flores. So I called the lawyer cellphone number which ms.kaye gave. And I quote him saying,” Sino nagbigay ng num ko sa yo?” I replied: ‘Si Ms Kaye ho ng PhilStar.
then he goes,”Alam mo di dapat nya sinabi sa inyo yan kasi gusto ko ma-surprise ka pag nakita ang notice sa friday. Tatlong linggo yan binayaran ko sa PhilStar, Mla Bulletin at Inquirer…”
I butted in,”Eh bakit ho ba kailangan i-drag ang pangalan ng school ko sa notice eh di ko naman binigay na reference ito at san nyo nakuha contact number dito?” He replied again with all sarcasm’ “Kaya ko dinadrag ang pangalan ng school mo para malaman nila na di ka nagbabayad ng utang.” So I realized its abt my past due credit card status with EastWest Bank.
Then I told him,”so ano ho ang pde kong gawin para makuha ang affidavit of refusal?”
He quipped, “Bayaran mo utang mo!” Then we discussed the terms and I agreed to it which I just did yesterday. But as I’ve been praying abt this i know something is wrong. Gustong gusto ko ng murahin yang abogadong yan dahil sa napakabastos nyang pananalita na parang kriminal at manloloko ang kausap nya. It’s as if im making a deal with a kidnapper about a ransom. He claims to be connected with CIBI, Bankers Association of the Phils. And even threats that I’ll be blacklisted in NBI. I’ve been thinking on how I can make these people stop this scam. Kung ireport ko ba sa pulis o NBI matulungan ako? O kung idulog ko sa Public Attys Ofc eh maaksyunan ito? O kung ireklamo ko si Flores sa Integ Bar of the Phil maparusahan ba sya?
These questions keep on going around my head everytime i remember this experience. I’m crying when I went to the bank to deposit the amount I agreed to pay.I hope someone who reads this may help us with our advocacy to stop this vicious scam. Thanks for taking time to read.. and thanks in advance fir your help. Godbless!
@Tessa
Hi Ms. Tessa,
I am very sorry to be replying so late. I do not like the way that the spoke to you, it is very disrespectful. It is good that you did not lose your temper!
Please do not panic and make sure that you check the facts. Is it true that you did not pay an Eastwest Bank credit card? If so, then you can call the bank directly and settle it with them.
The tactic of these guys is to bully you and scare you into paying your card (if it is true that you have debt). Keep calm. Deal only with legitimate people (bank) and not these scary guys.
Goodluck!
Julienne
i experienced a similar scenario yesterday. they will also drag our company. but this time, They called our HR. I called also a certain Atty. Melchor Flores , and then he checked that i am in their data base for not paying a credit card. then, i asked for a payment option (cause i could not pay 130000 amount…my god! where will i get that money). and then he gave me a number of an employee of the bank, whom is atty chua, and i asked for the payment option that i will pay the principal amount but not immediately. he agreed that i will pay the principal amount of 28k but in one day after i called. i was freaking out cause i do not have that kind of money or any possession to sell to cover that amount. if i did, i would have paid the cc before and not now. i said i am willing to pay the amount but not that immediate. so i asked them for a leeway but he refused and threaten me that i will face the estafa if i will not pay the said amount on the date he gave me. unfortunately, i wasn’t able to raise the money. the thing is, i was just employed here for 1 year and 2 mos and i have not paid the cc since july 2014 due to some financial matters. right now, i am willing to pay the amount due but not immediately.
1. will i go to prison for not paying on the specified time?
2. can they do that blackmailing in a company?
3. i asked advice from PAO, and he said that i should call the bank since the one calling me is from collection agency. the collection agency will not approve my request because they will get higher commission if i should pay in full. the bank could cater my request. will this be possible?
thank you so much.
I think you have to cross check his information. I noticed he is the one giving you the numbers to call the people he is referring to. Kasabwat rin yan. It’s easy to set up fake phone numbers. What credit card did you not pay? Are his allegations true?
Don’t pay the amount until you CONSULT A REAL LAWYER.
[…] If you are reading this then no doubt you received a phone call from the above person. To be honest, I haven’t received a call. However, many of my readers have and you can read that post (and their experiences) here – https://iamjulienne.com/blog/2014/08/newspaper-blackmail-scam/ […]
[…] I searched for Melchor Flores and boom it’s confirmed it’s a scam you can check the link here and here. I immediately reported to our VP about it she asked me to print the article and she […]
july 28, 2015 we received same scam… the peoples journal news paper call my aunt in the office and said they will publish her name in the news paper my aunt ask them what case but the caller can’t answer my aunt’s question the caller said nagmamagandang loob lng kasi nakakahiya pag napublish ung name nya, so I call these numbers that the news paper told me and look for Atty. Melchor Flores 09175588185 / 9623297 to settle everything but when i call the number atty. flores was out to lunch and so i ask Erick Mendoza their receptionist on what case thet they will sue my auntie they said administrative. afterwards i try to look the law firm in google and i was surprised that i found this blog about atty. mendoza scam…
i was thankful and relieved that this is all scam they are magkakasabwat! I read all the comments and we are all the same! how can this scam will end para wala ng maloko!
Same thing happened to me, but this time he is using another name, he is no longer Atty. Melchor Flores, he is now ATTY. JOSELITO MENDOZA and gave me this number 09175588185 / 9623297. A girl named Cherry claiming to be from People’s Journal called me using this number 2947709. When I tolf ATTY. JOSELITO MENDOZA than I will have my lawyer call him, he replied to me by saying “Di ko kailangan ng abogado mo!” then binagsakan ako ng phone. I asked my lawyer and he advised me to call People’s Journel and inform them that if they will publish anything about me then I will sue them for libel.
This happened to me this week when i recieved a call from barangay and was told that there were police who wants to go to our house. And since they want to protect our community,they didnt let them go to our house and he provided me the contact number of ATTY JOSELITO MENDOZA. I called him and he accused me with the same violation art 315 or multiple estafa and ask me how many debts do i have. I said my only outstanding balance was from EastWest and he told me that the amount is php280k. So i said that was not the amount and i will call directly to the bank. I also mentioned that i contacted different collection agency before him. He was arrogant and was told that he is from judicial and so on that i dont mind because he was unprofessional. He even repeat himself “ako si ATTY JOSELITO MENDOZA” because i dont call him “attorney” or “sir”. After the conversation, i search his name in google and this is it. I got a call twice from our barangay. Do you think they will come back again?
HI Chrissy, I apologize for the delayed reply. I think that this is a collections agency that will indeed use scare tactics to scare you and push you into paying even a portion of your debt. There is a chance they will come back, some of my other readers are harassed several times.
naku chrissy pareho tayo… ginamit naman at CIDG Camp Crame… naisip ko dumiretso sa EWB.. ano po ba ang best way para mag back off ang mga nang haharass na yan.. sya rin un Atty Joselito Mendoza
Hi – did atty. Mendoza called you again? This happened to me today. even dragging the name of my company in the issue. Please reply. Thanks
Atty Mendoza is trying to collect money from you. Do you have an unpaid bill? Of course they will drag your company’s name to scare you into paying for whatever it is you did not pay for (if this is truly the case).
I just received a phone call fro our office landline very similar from the calls received by those who shared their experiences above. He said he’s from people’s journal, one of the leading blah blah…. and that he’s concerned for a certain paid adverstisement that can affect the reputation of the company. He mentioned a name and said that its one of our employee, i immediately checked from the list of active employees and told him that there’s no employee by that name, but he insisted that Atty melchor flores has a case against her for violating article 315 and i was curious what its all about, he said its a serious offense. i asked him what should we do, he said ask the employee to talk to atty flores. i told him whatever the result of that publication and would put the company in bad light, atty flores will have to answer for it, especially that we don’t have an employee by that name, i assure him it will be referred to our legal department, i asked for his number just in case but he refused to give any contact number. so google article 315, which is about swindling and estafa, and also melchor flores and booom, thanks for sharing and the info, we almost fall for this scammers!
I just got an SMS about serving a warrant of arrest to me on bouncing check by a certain Sheriff Ariel Sandoval and that the complaint was filed by Atty. Melchor Flores. I should call them within 24 hours or they will ask PNP and NBI to arrest me.
In the first place I do not have an active checking account. After reading the comments here, it might be from a collection agency of a CC shrouding its real identity from me.
Thanks!
Just read your comments.. Yung Modus regarding sa NEwspaper scam nangyari na po yan sa akin last year tapos Meron na naman bago at may tumawag sa Brgy. Capitan po namin ngayon ifrom NCRPO Taguig daw po at pinapatawag po ako sa kanila ito ang mobile number +639329984904 tapos may nakausap po akong SPO4 Joel Ancheta daw po sya and meron daw ako kaso na ESTAFA and a certain ATTY. Ferdinand CHua po ng Pasig RTC and nag file. Di nagulat po ako dahil alam ko naman sa sarili ko na wala akong nagawa. Nag search po agad ako at nabasa ko ang isang comment na nangyari sa sister nya. Thank you so much for the information. Ang nakakainis lang po yung hassle na dinala sa family ko since dahil andito ako sa ibang bansa at sila ang unang na inform ng Brgy Capitan namin. Kinabahan po ang tatay at nanay ko. May sakit pa naman sa puso ang nanay ko. 🙁
Paraakatulong din. One morning po maypumunta na tagabarangay maytumag daw sa kanila taga ncrpo a certain maj. Reynan Topemio contact number 09060228437 at 09293187764. may kaso daw ako at papasheriff dw bahay namin e wla naman akong alam na kaso ko at pgkakautang. Buti nalang nabasa ko ang mga comment nyo.. nakakabahala lang alam nila fullname ko at kung saan ako nakatira. Sana madakip sila lahat ni Duterte.
Hi! I also experienced this yesterday. Ultado Law Office’s staff is also involved here, name is Juliet with cp# 09989677270. She told me that my case is already transferred to Atty. Melchor Flores who is using cp #09276002709.
What happened is that I have a debt also with Eastwest Bank but due to financial constraint, I could not still pay it right now even incrementally. Somebody called our office- a certain Arnel Pineda with cp#090669694352. He claimed that hes from People’s Journal and anytime on that day- if I wont contact them- they will publish my name on their newspaper due to estafa.
I tried to contact Atty. Flores and I was able to speak to him. He was so arrogant, very unprofessional. That alone hinted to me that his credibility is questionable. Considering his voice, he sounded like a teenage brat. He demanded money from me in the amount of 20,000 as one-time payment so he could stop the publication and then pay him legal fees. From thereon my suspicion was then further reinforced that truly I am engaging into a sure Scam. Good thing I tried goggling Atty. Flores’ name and I was able to see this site. Thanks a lot and lets spread this information.
Alam nyo guys,kung ayaw nyong humantong sa ganyan,magbyad kau sa mga pagkakautang nyo,kung ayaw nyo makig pagcoordinate sa isang collector dumirekta kau sa bank kung saan kau may utang,.kasi hangat may utang kau sa bangko di kau lulubayan sa mga collector agent na yan..wag lng natin masyado kapalan pagmumukha natin..kasi in the first place nakabenifits tau sa cc na yan while active pa yan..nanagiging arrogant kasi tau,kasi alam natin my rights tau,.minsan gawin natin ipriority mgbayad ng mg utang natin,the long time na eniegnore natin yan,the more na mababaon kau sa pagkakautang..again kung may tumatawag sa inyu na collector,gumagamit sa ganyang pakulo direct to the point nyo sabihin nyo no need na kayong takutin,pag usapan nlang ng tama,.maraming amnesty program ang mga banko,kung may offer na alam nyo kayo nyo afford grab nyo na..ask kau ng assurance na macloclose account nyo mga document na pwede nyo panghawakan na galing talga sa banko.wag lng verbal..tas everify nyo sa banko kung legit ba ang documento..yun lang…..wag na kau gagawa ng mga delaying tactics nyo para di kau makapgbayad..mamababayaran naman talga natin ang mga utang natin kung gugustuhin natin..marami naman paraan.alam natin walang nakukulong sa utang..pero lagay natin sa utak natin na mahalaga sa ating ang pangalan natin..alam nyo ang mga collector na sinasabi nyo,sa totoo lng nagdadasal yan cla na,everyday maraming di makapagbayad ng sa ganon,may kukulektahin sila at may trabaho sila..Firm lng tau mga GUYs!!!!peace..
Thanks Chinkee for your insight. I agree, sometimes we need to face our obligations and responsibilities.. early on in order to prevent things from escalating.
HOY KILALA KITA chinkeeyou! AT KUNG SAANG AGENCY KA CONNECTED.
I also received a call from that Ultado. I refused to discuss my issue with them. I am now planning to call the bank.
Hi is this atty. Ultado a scammer?
hello…who’s joselito mendoza.?
Collecting agency cla janiz.
called me 2 days ago.. same case ng pananakot.. una tumawag SP04 CANARIO with mobile number 09173339578. From NCRPO daw cya at pinatatawag nya ako kay ATTY. RODOLFO ULTADO ng ULTADO LAW OFFICE.. dahil daw nag file ng case sa asawa ko etong atty ultado na to.. to make the story short, ipakulong ko nalang daw asawa ko kng wala kami inabayad. Diyos ko po. 60k lang ang loan namin. Nabayaran na namin ang almost 5 months, bigla cla manghingi ng 115k i demand wala kami ganyang pera.,naging 50k gang sa bumaba ng 22k. Tinalo pa nila ang banko sa interest.anyway magbabayad naman kami pero ayusin muna ng p.tng inang HOME CREDIT ang problema. Sa kanila na ang mali kami pa ang kakasuhan.
it happened to me just this morning telling that my picture will be posted to peoples journal and manila bulletin because of a case which i dont understand. criminal cases he said. his name is jerome macapagal. he gave me the the name of atty mendoza, mendoza group of companies give me the cel no. 0917-5588185. gave me also the number of peoples journal landline. i told him i will go to their office right away. that’s what i did. i went to peoples journal office in intramuros and found out that no such name as jerome macapagal and they dont call any person who is going to be posted on their newspaper. i was told that it just a scammed. my god!!! what happened to these people!! he gave me Atty. Joselito Mendoza who filed the case.
We also received such calls, please ignore because they were scams..asked them for a receipt if its true..call the newspaper office for reporting purposes. Thanks
It happened to me just now. Someone came to the office they gave me a phone number to call which I did it was )917-8289738, and then the I called and said it was from our local police station so naturally I called which was answered by a man who said he was PO3 Abigail Aguas. The man sounded so authoritative and said that I have a pending case filed at Camp Crame and I should call Col. Rolando Gorospe at a land line number 02-294-7709 which is to Crame. Again I called, another man answered who refused to identify himself and to verify if I indeed called Crame. He just said that he will transfer me to Col. Gorospe. So, then Col. Gorospe came in and told me that I have a pending estafa case filed at Pasig RTC with case number A12-4-2015, and I should contact, Atty. Melchor Flores of Flores Group of Companies. I asked him for details regarding the said case and he was not able to provide me with specific details, only that it was in Pasig RT and I should call Atty. Flores and negotiate with them and request for an affidavit of dessistance so i will not be jailed. I googled the Flores Group of Companies and the contact number for Camp Crame and the other names of the people who I spoke with. And now here I am. I am also going to have a lawyer friend help me on this.
The lengths that these people will go through. They’re a bunch of scammers.
Mainit-init pa. A Joshua Aquino claiming to be from People’s Journal called up today January 7, 2016. Gave Tel. No. 294-7709 (which is a wrong number when I checked the internet and called up the newspaper). Gave me the number of Atty. Joselito Mendoza of Mendoza Law Office Tel. Nos. 434-2749 and 436-2071 with address at 27th Floor PBCom Tower, Salcedo Village, Makati City. Spoke with a Marcus Flores. They will publish a notice to the public claiming that the person involved is still connected with our company which is a sort of negative publicity. Said that they will stop the publication if the ex-employee concerned talks to them. I think this is a collection agent of a credit card company who is soooo lazy they don’t want to do their own research on where the credit card holder is presently hiding and wants you to do the work for them. Told them to go ahead and publish and we will sue them for false information. Will wait and see if they push through with it.
Hi Julienne,
I just received a call from this number 4338903 telling that I need to call her after lunch regarding case I am inclined to, her name is PO2 Garcia, she is a lady and pretending working at NCRPO Camp Bagong Diwa Taguig and I confirmed to the office of NCRPO Taguig that they don’t have any such numbers connecting to their office, and don’t they have PO2 Garcia which is female. I am so shocked after she called because she had my full name and my new work place..I am so worried. Please help me
Thanks,
Cel
Hi Cel –
Anyone can find your work place and your full name and work, that’s generally public information if you have a Facebook or LinkedIn Account.
If you are curious to see what it is about, call the number, stay calm and ask them what they want. Don’t tell them right away that you know they are onto their scam and you know she is fake. Through the call try to determine what her motives are (do you have an unpaid bill? are they just trying to extort money from you?). Ask them where their office is, offer to go there instead?
Ask them if they know “Chief of Police (Cite the name of NCRPO Camp Bagong Diwa officer)” and see how they react.
When they realize that hindi ka nila maloloko then they will back off. Or hang up.
The reality is they are calling dozens of other people also in their effort to extort money. Be smarter than them. You can do it.
Hi Julienne,
Good day.
I am currently the HR head of a certain company. I just received a call as well from certain RJ STA ANA who represent People’s Journal.
According to this guy, a certain Atty Joselito Mendoza from Mendoza Group of Companies with number 436 9345 and mobile 09156609716 just paid an ads to pose the name and picture of one of my employee citing art 315-318 as her case.
Upon talking to my employee, she was shocked learning this matter. Apparently, the name being mentioned by the guy from People’s Journal was my employees’ name when she was still single and that was 2 or 3 years ago.
I tried to verify from People’s Journal HR Department the name of this guy and found out that they don’t have employee named RJ Sta Ana.
I tried calling back the guy from fake People’s Journal with the provided number 2947709 and I tried to confront him and He keep on telling me that He is really from people’s journal but after dropping the name of the HR personnel from People’s journal the guy tried to hang me. I tried calling back and different person answered me every time I dialed their number.
People really find ways to take advantage of other people.
Hopefully the National Bureau of Investigation can look after them.
Thank you.
Same thing happened to me earlier this day, for me, my co-worker received a call from a certain officer from CIDG claiming I violated a certain art 315-318 and I have a pending warrant of arrest at their office, that I need to contact him at 294-7709 or to a certain Atty Joselito Mendoza at 962-3297, i immediately contacted the so called Atty Mendoza and inquired about the matter, he mentioned that if I didn’t pay the amount of 45k, a news article will be published with my name and that of my employer, unfortunately for them, I was a former agent of CIDG thus I was able to verify the concern. I am pressing my complaint at CIDG and anyone here who wanted to join me is welcome. To those who wishes to join me, I’ll give you the details of the case by tomorrow.
Btw, I have the details of the owner of the number and their address. Awareness is the first step, action is the key
sir ano na nangyari sa case? got a call today, atty roberto ultado naman gamit. and iba na nmber 710-1559 sa camp bagong diwa daw xa spo2 Emily De Loen, tawag daw ako sa opis nila atty ultado at hanapin si jay alcantara eto nmber – 355-4739
Hi I got a call today from a certain police officer “daw” in Makati. May nagfile daw ng kaso sa akin regarding sa FB Page ko and pinapacontact nya sa akin yung Atty. William Chua (962-3297). Hindi ko naman ma-contact yung number na yan pero nung sinearch ko sa google yung phone number, lumabas na nangbablack-mail yung mga taong tumatawag sa akin..
Received a text message today. Thank you that I came across your article about this number (225-5999).
——————————–
METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT
Expect our official common to issue your COURT ORDER (Bench Warrant) exactly 12pm, Monday (March 14, 2016) together with Sheriff to issue Writ of Preliminary Attachement to garnish your real and personal property at XXXXXXXXXXXXX.
Please be inform for your voluntary surrender to avoid commotion at your area. Call 2255999/09092502389 Asuncion Ramos of METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT
Hi Ice just to askd what happened after you received this text message from so called Asuncion Ramos? I also received text message from this same person just today but with different phone no. provided.
who is atty. joselito mendoza?
Another Newspaper Phone Scam
One BARBARA SALCEDO with the number 294-7709 claims she is calling from verification department (classified ads) of Philippine Daily Inquirer and informing us that they will post an ad against one of our employees for violating article 354 revised penal code (in short, libel). At kasama na idadrag sa ad na ito ay ang pangalan ng aming kumpanya.
Tinanong namin kung sino ang nagpapa-advertise nito at sinabi ni Barbara na isang ATTY. JOSELITO MENDOZA daw ang bumili ng ad space sa kanila at ipopost daw ito for three (3) consecutive Sundays. Tinanong namin kung ano ang detalye ng advertisement,sabi ni Barbara tanging sa empleyado lang daw nila maaring ibigay ang detalye.
Tinanong tuloy namin itong empleyado namin kung nasangkot ba siya sa isang away o mayroon ba syang asuntong natanggap habang nagtatrabaho siya sa amin o maging sa dating niyang employer, eh wala naman daw siyang matandaan. Ang empleyadong ito ay isang simpleng trabahador lang na ang madalas makadaupang palad ay mga ordinaryong tao, mga tipong pinakanangangailang mga tao, kaya mahirap isipin na makakaoffend siya ng isang tao na may kakayahan na magbayad sa isang ATTY. JOSELITO MENDOZA.
Tinanong namin kung may paraan ba na mahold ang advertisement na ito, ang sabi sa amin ay tumawag sa opisina ni JOSELITO MENDOZA sa numerong 962-3297 o 0917-558-8185 at kausapin and secretary niyang si JOHN VILLAROEL. Sinubukan naming kausapin si JOSELITO MENDOZA pero ayaw naman kaming ipakausap.
So to make the story short, hinanap namin yung number na 294-7709 kung sa Philippine Daily Inquirer nga ito at itong si Joselito Mendoza. And wallah! The details brought us here! Guys, beware of these scams. Just sharing.
COLLECTION AGENCY ANG GUMAGAWA NG GANYAN, KUNG MERON KAYONG CREDIT CARDS, TELECOM ETC NA UTANG AT DI PA BAYAD MAKAKARANAS KAYO NYAN, TINGNAN NYO ANG MGA DEMAND LETTERS NYO GALING SA MGA AGENCY PARA MALAMAN NYO KUNG SAANG BANK KAYO TATAWAG IREPORT NYO KAAGAD YAN ANG ALAM KONG GUMAGAWA NYAN IS BERNALES AND ASSOCIATES PAKICHECK ANG LETTERS NYO KUNG MERON. MADAMI PANG AGENCY.
PWEDE NYONG IREQUEST YONG MGA CONTACT NUMBERS KAPAG LANDLINE. ANG BERNALES @ ASSOCIATES AY LOCATED SA 2ND,3RD & 4TH FLOOR A.FRANCISCO GOLD CONDO 1, # 784 EDSA WEST KAMIAS DISTRICT Q.C. TEL NO. 4264265 MAKIPAG UGNAYAN KAYO SA MEDIA, POLICE OR NBI PARA MABILIS AT MACHECK ANG MGA GAMIT NA CONTACT NUMBERS.
Very nice blog as always! I also received a similar text scam message just this afternoon and I just want to share his modus operandi so people would know. The scammer’s message is as follows:
“Goodday! Mr. XXXXXX XXXXXX : This is alex magsanoc from PEOPLE’S JOURNAL,we just want to inform you that we receive a paid advertisement,a NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC pertaining to your pending four criminal cases a violation of REPUBLIC ACT 8484-an intention to de fraud or flee, Small Claims case(for collection of sum of money),breach of Contract and violation of article 318 DECEIT, within 3 consecutive sundays ur name will drag into news without notice pls. Call us for immediate cancellation of this ad call us to this tel. No. 990-6904 thank you!”
I forgot to mention the cellphone number the scammer used. Here it is: 0935 355 7905
Hi Ms.Julienne,
I also experience this..below is the txt message that I received..
RE: Warrant of Arrest against you and Warrant of seizure to sheriff andq garnish your Property will be served if you failed to coordinate the Criminal Case (FOR: Violation of BP 22 Anti Bouncing Checks Law against YOU filed by Atty. MELCHOR FLORES at TAGUIG Prosecutors Office, you have a mandatory 24 hours to coordinate, otherwise we will send you in Court immediately. We will Coordinate at ANTIPOLO CITY police and National Bureau of Investigation for the record. You may contact Atty. MELCHOR FLORES at 09420673156 or 09078021568. Full extent of the Law shall be applied against you for failure to comply. Your Name and Picture will be Published at Leading Newspaper (Notice to the Public Section) – Sheriff Ariel Sandoval
Wow!!! I got the same message today. But what makes me crazy is, wala akong utang sa bank or telcom. I told him na itatawag ko sa IBP ang name nya to verify if talagang lawyer sya. Tapos BP22! Seriously? Wala akong checking account.hahah..Guys wag pasindak.
I do have a loan at Chinatrust, I really wanted to pay it but Im afraid that they will ask me to pay in full amount.. what can you suggest the best way I can handle this.. thanx! Im really having sleepless nights since Friday..
Gandang hapon po.. i suggest po makipag usap kayo sa bank nyo.. kng hindi nyo kayang bayaran ng buo,maraming paraan para mabayaran nyo paunti unti.. ganyang po nangyari sa auntie ko 2 years ago with BPI naman ang HSBC pero na settle naman po not in full amount. Hulog hulugan mo kng ano ang kaya mo bayaran monthly. Hope this could be help
BERNALES AND ASSOCIATES LANG ANG GUMAGAWA NG SCAM NA YAN NAGKUKUNWARING SI ATTY. MELCHOR FLORES OR ATTY MENDOZA FOR YOUR INFO SI ATTY FLORES AY MATAGAL NANG PATAY MGA COLLECTOR ANG GUMAGAWA NYAN, KUNWARI IPUPUBLISHED ANG PANGALAN NYO SA DYARYO PERO HINDI NAMAN YON PALA MANININGIL LANG NG CREDIT CARDS, TELECOM, HOUSING LOAN AT AVON. PUNTAHAN NYO NALANG SA 2ND,3RD AND 4TH FLOOR A.FRANCISCO GOLD CONDO 1, #784 EDSA WEST KAMIAS DISTRICT QUEZON CITY, TEL NO.4264265
tanong ko lang tumawag sakin peoples journal na ipapa published daw nila nym ko pati company name kung saan ako nagwork dahil sa sa may utang ako ESW cc 160k tapos sabe nang atty.rogelio gonzales nila magbayad daw q 20k o hindi kakasuhan daw q ng estafa. dalawang beses na tumawag ang peoples journaluna ung nym john reyes pati augusto villanueva. ano po gagawin ko
sobrang na shock din ako na receive me same call kay mr. angelo.
now i know how to deal with them! thanks po sa blog nyo aware n ako ngaun na scam lang..
buti nalang nag google muna ako nang number at pangalan ni mr. mendoza. scammer pala sya. kaya pala nung ask ko ung taga peoples journal daw if legal yung gagawin nila na pagpost sa akin eh kung tutuusin wala na kong balance mga charges nalang yun. binayaran lang daw sila at wala sila magagawa kundi gawin yung utos ni mr. mendoza na post picture ko at company name.
Your blog is so helpful and I’d like to share my experience so others may be aware. Received a text message today demanding the same things as the others and they got my name and my friend’s name correctly. It said To : xxx & xxx RE: Warrant of Arrest against you and Warrant of seizure to sheriff and garnish your Property will be served if you failed to coordinate the Criminal Case (FOR: Violation of BP 22 Anti Bouncing Checks Law against YOU filed by Atty. MELCHOR FLORES at TAGUIG Prosecutors Office, you have a mandatory 24 hours to coordinate, otherwise we will send you in Court immediately. We will Coordinate at SAN PEDRO CITY police and National Bureau of Investigation for the record. You may contact Atty. MELCHOR FLORES at 09420673156 or 09078021568. Full extent of the Law shall be applied against you for failure to comply. Your name and Picture will be Published at Leading Newspaper (Notice to the Public Section) – Sheriff Ariel Sandoval.
Was really surprised (how they got my info.) and stressed at the same time. Thing is, my friend they mentioned already passed away 2 years ago…
oh if you could edit the post, i received the message from 09496556635. thanks!
e kayo naman may mga atraso kayo kaya ginagawa sa inyo yan. dami niyong reklamo muka namang may tinataguan kayo na obligasyon kaya kayo ginaganyan. isip isip lang. yari kayo kay duterte kung ano man yan ginawa niyo sa mga taong gumagawa sa inyo nyan. dami niyong reklamo.
wow. how did this become about Duterte?
Oi gong gong hindi kami natakas sa responsibilidad namin. May mga tao lang talagang makikitid ang utak kagaya mo. Wla ka maitulong wag kang maki sawsaw.. cguro isa ka sa mga collecting agency na yan walang ginawa kundi manakot sa kapwa.
nangyari na sa akin ito. at ang dahilan ay ang aking malaking utang. mali nga ang gngawa nila pero mas malaki ang pagkakamali natin. ginawa ko ang tama binayaran ko kung saan ako may pag kakautang. may nakakasuhan din talaga diyan. pero bakit hindi niyo mabanggit kung ano dahilan at ginaganyan kayo? mga plastik!
Julliene ikaw? sguro po nangyari na sa iyo ito. siguro may utang ka hahahaha at scam? may nakuha po ba sila na pera? o gamit? kasi sakin nagbayad lang ako ng utang. wala na nanggulo.
Hi, actually if you read my story, it didn’t happen to me but someone I work with. Also, good for you that meron kang pera na pambayad ng utang.
the same scenario happened to me. A certain Gina called at our office told us that they received a publication and my name and picture will be posted on the newspaper. And she gave the contact no. of Atty. Joselito Mendoza and she told me to call the lawyer.
to my surprise it was just my debt. I paid it and the calls stopped.
All the best
Hi!
I received a call a while ago told me to call atty. Roberto ultado jr. At this number 02 3554739 and 02 7101559 by the name ANDRES… he said that he is from tribune newspaper that he will publish my name and be blacklisted to nbi and will put notice to public that any company as related shall not transact with me due laws as stated by him…i know at first it was scam only to know if they can collect something from you. Dont be scared! Be aware! In fact i received nothing even a single notice coming from them…take care guys…thanks for some blogs here….very informative!
Ohlie
tumawag saken kanina, 02 7101559 yan daw sa station ng pulis yan, nung una nagulat ako may kaso daw ako something like conspiracy daw kasi may pending balance ang tito ko so nagtaka ako wala naman ako alam jan so un kelangan daw bayaran mga ganun, buti nag research ako at madami ako nababasa about atty roberto ultado, nung tumawag ako sabi patawagin ko daw tito ko hanapin daw si jay alcantara, so malamang scam nga to.
I got a call claiming to be vicente edgardo vartilad editor in chief of manila bulletin. That atty bayona requested an add for me to be placed this sunday that I need to get a letter of refusal from that atty otherwise it will be published this sunday…wala ako pambayad but I dont want my face and name malagay sa bulletin pls help
Ang ng yari naman sa amin my kamag anak daw kami na nasa PGH ( Philippines General Hospital) nag tataka lang kami ay exact address sa amin at last name namin ay parehas lang, pero ang ginamit na name ay abegail Carmona, which is last name namin ang carmona. binigay ang telephone number na 294-7709 DR. Remuldez daw sya. pero wala naman kaming kilala abegail carmona , so we check google 294-7709 ayun na laman namin na scam pala ito. so ingat po tayo lagi.
Is this Atty Roberto Ultado Jr legit? Please let me know. TY.
Hi Ms. Julienne! Another scam here. I just received a phone call 3 hours ago, someone called me and telling me that I have a warrant of arrest, because of the reason that I am the co-maker of Marites(my cousin) for a loan from home credit. True it is that my cousin has unpaid balance from home credit, but it is not true that I am the comaker of the loan since I did not signed any documents or anything. I was even shocked that I became part of it (loan), I then immediately called my cousin and she said that she made me a contact reference not a comaker. Anyway, I asked the caller his name, and he said he is PO2 Alex Advincula (which I believe is not true). He said that he already have the warrant of arrest with him and it is ready to be served to me immediately, unless I clear my name and ask my cousin to contact the attorney in charge, Atty. Roberto Ultado. WTF?!!! I am not the one involved in the loan and yet I am the one who will get arrested. Due to panic I called my aunt and cousin about this and told them to contact the said attorney and settle it with them…. Meanwhile, I was trying to contact a friend of mine who is a lawyer but unfortunately, I wasnt able to talk to him. I then searched for PUBLIC ATTORNEY’S OFFICE (PAO) and was very glad that even lunch time I was able to talk to one of the legal counsels. I told him the whole story and said that before I be served a warrant, I should first receive a notice that I have a warrant of arrest, in which there is none. I tried calling that PO2 so many times, but he wasn’t answering my calls, so I texted him instead and told him that I have seek a legal counsel from PAO, and all the things he told me were just mere false accusations. I even called that attorney and asked them why would they file a case against me, I am not the debtor even the comaker at all. He is denying that he knows the person who called me and that he did not know how he got his number. Well, infact that PO2 was the one who gave me his name and cellphone number, that’s why I was able to talk to him… Obviously, he will deny it. For sure, that person is just one of his staff. According to PAO, in case they come here at my place, I should call the barangay… Maybe that attorney thinks that they can fool and scare all their clients!
the same happened to me just now! It was horrible! Good thing I came across this blog. Thank you. I was able to handle it properly.
Hi Ohlie, kahapon lang maw tumawag din sa ka-officemates namin and asking her to call that same number at pareho din yung pangalan ng atty. Meron daw warrant of arrest ka officemates ko for certain issues na actually hindi naman totoo. Let’s be vigilant sa mga ganitong modus.
Good thing I bumped into this blog. Let me also share my experience with Atty. Roberto ultado. My daughter received a text message from an unknown number stating that they are from the Fiscal’s office of Taguig wherein a case was filed for my daughter and will a subpoena and summon will be sent to our home. A telephone number was indicated on the text so my daughter called the number. It was Roberto Ultado who answered. The conversation goes to follow:(By the way the conversation was recorded)
DAUGHTER: Hello good afternoon po. I am looking for Atty Ultado. This is (my daughters name) regarding a text message sent to us about HOME CREDIT PHILIPPINES.
ATTY: (high tone seems irritated) SINO TO?! BAKIT ANONG KAILANGAN MO?!
so my daughter advised again the reason for the call. Then she was asked to provide her name and why she was calling. Then immediately upon hearing that this is about Home credit, this Atty yelled and insulted my daughter without knowing my daughter’s side of story. This is the exact words from him:
“AH SO MAY UTANG KA SA KLIYENTE NAMIN? ANONG KLASENG BABAE KA AT PAANO KA PINALAKI NG MAGULANG MO NA HINDI KA MARUNONG MAG BAYAD NG UTANG MO?!”
so my daughter was shocked because the utang that this atty is referring to does not exist. Yes she used the services of home credit but the phone they got was already paid since 2015 including interest fees. This attorney said that Home credit did not receive any payments from my daughter wherein fact we have all the receipts filed for all the payments made.
I intervened during the conversation, got the phone from my daughter as i can hear that the discussion is getting heated.
I presented my self and asked the person if he is really an atty because he supposed not to treat and talk to people that way. he insulted us on how we raised our daughter and also insulted my daughter on how she was as a person.
We will accept his really only if there really is no payment made but on this instance since we have receipts testifying that our daughter paid home credit then this is another battle that we will face.
This atty cut the conversation when we told him “MAY KILALA RIN KAMING LAWYER. SIGE MAG KONTRA DEMANDAHAN TAYO KASI PAG NALAMAN NAMING HINDI KA TOTOONG LAWYER MAGHIHIMAS KA NG REHAS SA GINAWA MO AT SABIHIN MO DYAN SA KLIYENTE MO MALI SILA NG UUTAKAN! HINDI NAMIN PINALAKI ANG ANAK KO PARA INSULTUHIN MO LANG!”
So for all those people that experienced harassment and insult from people saying they are the law office of home credit make sure that you have all the receipts of your payment. we should file for a lawsuit for this company.
ps: i have seen other sites that includes the name mentioned above who committed other scam and unfavorable acts. beware guys.
Hi,gusto ko lng po ishare experienced ko today,may nagponta po sa house namin,isang local police at isang babae na nagpakilala na tga~NCR DFA,at sinabi sa mother ko,na may kaso ako sa DFA,at i need to call DFA within 24hrs.(#09303749564 & 09950538059)so tinawagan hiding my number..sinagot na staff daw sia ng RAYMOND FLORES LAW FIRM.at asking me anu dw concerned at cno nagbigay ng number,so binalik ko yung tanung sa kanila kung anu ang pakay nila at anu kaso ko na kailangan ko tumawagwithin 24hrs.at ang sagot sakin tawag ako bukas at hanapin si vilma ,giving me another number 09486212128….at sinabi.sa mother pag ako dw dinampot,kunin ko daw pangalan nang mgdampot sakin….
Is this scam…kasi reading sa mga post dito..i remember nagtry.ako yesterday mag inquire sa sss.ofw…tpos ito na ….please give me some advice …kailangan ko paba tawagan cla ulit…kc paano ako magkakaso sa DFA,kung may nagbaklas ng name ko,at kung may kaso..db may letter naman nadarating if legit…thank u…..
Ms. XxxxxXxxxxxThis Ms. Rose Antonio, From Philippines Star, This is To Inform You That In 3 Consecutive Sundays Starting This Sunday (JAN15 To JAN 29,2017) Your Name Pictures & Reference Company Will Be Publish Due To Violation Of Art. 315 Estafa Case In Cooperation With Nbi, Baras Pnp, SSS For Employment Records ,GSIS For Goverment Employees MAKATI RTC Branch 65, & Atty. Catherine Damian For Inquiries Please Call 02) 531 0435 – i received this text unang una legit ba to? At bakit Ms. Instead of Mr eh lalaki ako?
Kaka experienced ko lang po nyan ngyon. Ginising ako ng pinsan ko kasi may naghahanap daw sakin si Police Chief Inspector Nick Morales daw sya from NCRPO Camp Bagong Diwa. May nagsampa daw sakin ng case sa Taguig ang name Atty. Arthur Baltazar. Tapos binigay ung cp number para tawagan ko daw at makipag areglo daw ako kasi ung warrant ki daw tomorrow na lalabas at ung kaso bukas na daw aayusin ng judge. Eto yung number. 09266979287 ayan ung cp. Di ako naniwala kasi halatang nananakot lang. Tapos tumwag na naman ung Police. Tinatanong kung nakausap ko nadaw ba ung Atty. Kasi pina follow up na daw sila ng fiscal. Wow ha?! Tinawagan ko ung Atty. Tapos nung tinanong ko kung bakit sya nagsampa ng case sakin at anong case sinampa nya. Sabi ba nman, titignan nya pa daw sa papers nya kasi nasa parking daw sya at nakalimutan nya. At hinde nya den alam ang name ko.
Update: I called NCRPO Camp Bagong Diwa at na confirm ko na walang Nick Morales sa Camp Bagong Diwa.
awesome detective work!!!! 🙂
Fresh!!!
I just received an sms today from manila bulletin(daw!) saying NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC. Same thing goes.. Art 315 art 318 RA 8484 and all. That our names will be posted for 3 consecutive sundays on their paper and if we have any questions we may call their number.
Funny is, if that really is from manila bulletion why are they using a prepaid number to send messages. Second if that really is legit and legal why they dont have may full name on the said ad that they are about to publish? And as i checked on the nunber they have given they are really far from manila bulletins office. Also, i can look for a certain MR. ENRICO CABRAL their senior verifier for the details.
Btw, here are the numbers:
02- 4343216
0917-3798316
0939- 2176098 this is the number they use to txt me
As far as i can remember my sister in law applied for a cc with Eatwest Bank and now its past due. I pity EAstwest bank really if their really behind this crap or the collections office they are getting.
I worked for several cc banks prev and i know the rights of the cc holders.
This is so funny!
Beware guys new scam is going around..
it g
happened me erlier my case daw ako n pending ,my bingay xa no.tinwagan ko wrong no.naman at tumwag sya ulit nagagalit sya twgan k daw ang no.n bingay nya pgnkausap ko dw blikan ko xa ngtaka ako bkt ako my case na staffa eh wl Nman ako pingkautanagan.taga pdi dw xa
Hi.gusto ko din po eshare ang nangyari sa akin yesterday kasi po may tumawag sa office namin na june perez for employee verification daw po,kinausap ny hr nung sinabi n empleyado nmin un tpos iniba nya po ang usapan taga pdi dw po sya kasi daw po ung employee nyo my pending case.ipublish nmin tuwinf saturday po.tpos sbi mg hr ha bkt nyo ipapublish eh d nmin alam.sbi nya po pati name ng company,eh di natakot po ako kasi bkit may ganun akong kaso alm ko nman po sa sarili ko ma wla akong tinakbuhan na kasalanan inaayos ko po trabaho ko kasi ayoko masira tiwala ng mga nakapaligid sakin tpos gnun gawin nila.pgkatpos po nun may sn
inabi po sya na tawagan nyo tong no.09151187171 si atty.chua pag nakausap nyo sya balikan nyo ako.tpos tinawagn nmin matandang lalaki sumagot nagagalit sbi nya cnu to bakit alam mo no.ko cnu ngbigay sayo,di ko pinamimgay no.ko sabay off ng cp din my bingay sya landline 4360271 tinwgan ko sabi cnu po hanap nyo sbi ko pdi po ba ito anjan ba si june perez?ang sabi wrong no.po kayo mam global asia bank to.sbi ko ok.tpos binalikan ko ang hr sbi ko mam di naman ano mga no.kc ako Kinkabhan ako sa mga ganun maayos po trabaho ko mgulat n lng ako na my mgdampot sa akin na di ko namam ginawa.ano po ang dapat kong gawin kng sakali tumawag ulit kc gusto eklaro kng anu pinaparatang nila sa akin.ayoko naman po masira pangalan ng compny pati ako.maraming salamat
Hi. I have a recent experience with Ultado Law Office with the same phone number — 9623297. Sadly, the law office is connected to a legitimate Collection Agency (RGS Recovery and Management and Collections Services, Inc.) whose service is employed by the bank that issued my credit card. They are now using the names ATTY. LORENZO TAN with cellphone no. 09266979287.
While I have a past due balance, this is under negotiation for restructuring. Due to miscommunication, the account was endorsed to the collection agency barely a week ago.
To my surprise, our HRD staff received a call from a “police” looking for me to serve a BENCH WARRANT. Upon researching, bench warrant is issued for FAILURE TO APPEAR IN COURT. How will I fail to appear in court when there was no subpoena? Another “police” called saying they will serve the warrant, saying there is a case filed against me, which is a violation of Article 315 (Estafa case). A lawyer informed me that delinquent cc account is not covered by this. Even the bank officer confirmed that they cannot file that case against their client.
Clearly, this is harassment by collection agents and a violation of BSP Circular 454, Section 7, series of 2004.
In case this happens to you, you can go directly to the bank and let them help you coordinate with the 3rd party they employ. In the first place, they are the ones who gave them your information. In my case, I told the bank officers to tell the collection agents to stop threatening and harassing me and never to call my office or my number again. Also, demand to pull out your account from the agency and only deal with the bank.
You may also report the case to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which I did. You may e-mail your complaint to :
FINANCIAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS GROUP
Supervision and Examination Sector
BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS
5th Floor, Multi-Storey Building, BSP Complex
A. Mabini St., Malate, Manila
E-mail address: consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph
Tel. Nos.: Direct Line: (+632)523-3631• Trunkline (+632)524-7011 local 2584
You may check this link to know your rights: http://www.bsp.gov.ph/publications/media.asp?id=2493
Since this happened to me, I’ve been reading blogs and experiences shared by different persons, and I wonder how they can still exist and why banks are still employing their services. I feel for those people who have been victimised by these bullies and helplessly gave in to their demand for fear of being arrested.
I hope sharing this will help others. God bless!
I received the same situation hahaha. thanks for this blog lum abas agad ang scam phone number. Philippine daily tribune naman to call atty jose buenaventura 09266979287. Nilabag ko daw ang RA9184 which is procurement. Tumawag ang dating office na pinapasukan ko na halos 12 years ago na akong wala.Nataranta pa kami kase govt procurement kami dati. hayyy Philippines
This also happened to me recently. Roberto ultado lawfirm.