THE Securities and Exchange Commission is warning the public against fake Facebook pages that uses the name and logo of Just Smile Lending Corp., a company offering loans and other related financial services.
According to the regulator, Just Smile executives has informed the SEC it doesn’t own, operate, control, authorize, endorse or maintain the Facebook pages. The fake pages uses the corporate name ‘Just Smile Lending Corp. Inc.’ and a Magsaysay Blvd., Quezon City, address.
Based on the information and supporting documents submitted to the agency, the reported Facebook pages use variations of the company’s name, logo and other identifying information in a manner that may create the false impression that they are legitimate or authorized channels of Just Smile.
‘Documents submitted to the commission further indicate that persons operating the reported pages may be soliciting prospective borrowers and requesting purported membership fees, processing fees, and similar payments in connection with loan applications while representing themselves as connected with Just Smile,’ according to the SEC.
The SEC said that the unauthorized use of the name, identity, logo or regulatory information of a registered lending company is being used to mislead consumers, obtain personal or financial information, induce payments under false pretenses, or facilitate other fraudulent transactions.
The regulator also advised the public to exercise caution when dealing with social media pages or accounts claiming to represent financing or lending companies, and to independently verify the company’s identity and official channels before entering into any transaction.
It added that the public should not send money for membership fees, processing fees, insurance fees, verification fees or similar advance payments based solely on representations made through social media or messaging applications. They should also avoid providing personal, financial or sensitive information to unverified accounts or persons.
‘Persons who may have been contacted by, solicited by, or transacted with the reported Facebook pages are advised to preserve all available evidence, including screenshots, account or page links, chat messages, mobile numbers, transaction receipts, payment details and other electronic records,’ the SEC said.