MANILA, Philippines - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) yesterday cautioned depositors of closed banks against scammers or swindlers representing themselves as having the capacity to facilitate the immediate release of deposit claims.

The central bank said the modus operandi of scammers or swindlers include posing or representing themselves as BSP Nestor Espenilla Jr. who also head the BSP’s Supervision and Examination Sector.

“Scammers or fraudsters may pose or represent themselves as Espenilla or any other officer of the BSP through any means such as written communication consisting of letters, email or text messages or through telephone calls that are made to appear as officially originating from BSP,” it said.

It warned scammers or swindlers may copy or imitate the BSP seal and simulate the format of official documents bearing the forged or digitally copied signatures of Espenilla or other BSP officials.

The BSP pointed out claims for payment of deposits in closed banks should only be coordinated with the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC).

PDIC is the government agency responsible for the processing of claims and release of deposit insurance to depositors of closed banks. All depositor concerns relating to the release of deposits in closed banks or deposit insurance should be coordinated with the PDIC.

“The BSP does not deal with depositors of closed banks. None of its officials are authorized to facilitate the immediate release of deposits or deposit insurance,” the central bank said.

If unsure of the authenticity of documents or communications relating to processing of deposits in closed banks or deposit insurance claims, the regulator asked depositors to call the BSP or PDIC for assistance.

The public is enjoined to inform the BSP or PDIC if they receive such fictitious documents or information on any fraudulent representations done for the purpose of illegally soliciting funds from depositors of closed banks.

The BSP has so far ordered the closure of 20 problematic banks as part of efforts to weed out weak players in the industry.