XN000022-1977-02-12 — Page 5

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1977

P.A. RECIPIENTS URGED TO BE ON GUARD

AGAINST IMPOSTORS

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THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY URGED RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST PEOPLE IMPERSONATING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS CHEATING THEM OFF THEIR MONTHLY ALLOWANCES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID WITH THE APPROACH OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, A FEW SUCH CASES HAD BEEN REPORTED LATELY.

USUALLY THE IMPOSTOR ASKED THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS TO RETURN THE MONEY TO HIM PRETENDING THAT IT HAD BEEN HANDED OVER BY MISTAKE AND THEN PROMISED THAT A LARGER AMOUNT WOULD BE FORTHCOMING.

THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED THOSE APPROACHED IN THIS MANNER TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OR THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY AND IN NO CASE SHOULD THEY RETURN ANY MONEY.

+ALL STAFF ARE ISSUED WITH DEPARTMENTAL IDENTITY CARDS AND RECIPIENTS WHO ARE UNCERTAIN OF ANY CALLERS CLAIMING TO BE FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SHOULD INSIST ON IDENTIFICATION,+ HE STRESSED.

RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE HAVE BEEN ISSUED A NOTICE BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WARNING THEM OF THE DANGERS OF BEING APPROACHED BY IMPOSTORS, AND ADVISING THEM TO EXERCISE GREAT CARE AND CAUTION.

MEANWHILE, PEOPLE RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND/OR THE DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES WHOSE PAY DAYS FALL WITHIN THE CHINESE NEW YEAR WILL BE ABLE TO GET THEIR MONEY EARLIER SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE MONEY FOR THE OCCASION,

+THOSE WHOSE PAY DAYS FALL ON FEBRUARY 18, 19, 20, 21 WILL BE ABLE TO GET THEIR MONEY ON FEBRUARY 14, 15, 16, 17 RESPECTIVELY FROM THE POST OFFICES, TREASURY OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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