The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today reminded the public to stay vigilant against phone scams.

The alert was issued as the SWD had received enquiries from restaurants about phone calls purportedly made by its officers who claimed to want to reserve tables or order food or drinks. The callers even requested that the restaurants assist in ordering goods from other vendors and settle the payments.

The SWD emphasised that its officers would never ask members of the public to settle any payments.

The matter has been reported to Police.

The department advised citizens to remain vigilant when receiving suspicious calls, adding that anyone who has received a suspected phone scam call should immediately make a report to Police.