Possible phishing attack targets healthcare workers over COVID-19 'benefit package'

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday warned the public against an email circulating among health workers regarding COVID-19 benefit packages, using the email address doh@doh.com.

In a statement, the DOH clarified that the sender's email address doh@doh.com is not affiliated with the health department or any of its employees.

"While there are existing benefit packages for healthcare workers, DOH will not send individual emails to sign up for these," it said.

"The DOH nor the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases did not send any email urging all healthcare and hospital workers to register to receive a COVID-19 benefit package," it added.

The DOH said there is no DOH-IATF COVID Task Force National Center for Health as used in the email sign off and that the official website of DOH is www.doh.gov.ph.

"[T]he link attacked in the unofficial email (www.doh.gov-org-org/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/newcases-cities.html) is not recognized by the DOH. Be wary of clicking any links from the said email," the agency announced.

The DOH also discouraged individuals or groups from creating, perpetrating, or spreading false information regarding the health crisis on social media and other platforms.

"We urge the public to be more vigilant against fraudulent emails and to trust only verified information from reputable sources, such as the DOH Facebook page and website," the agency said.

"The public is also encouraged to report any wrongful information encountered online through the DOH's KIRA Chatbot which can be accessed through Viber or Messenger." - Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News