In the digital age, legal processes have transitioned to online platforms. While this offers convenience, it also provides a fertile ground for scammers to exploit the fear and urgency associated with legal "notices." In the Philippines, mediation—whether through the Barangay, the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), or the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)—is a common preliminary step in dispute resolution.
If you receive an email regarding a mediation proceeding, here is how to distinguish a legitimate legal notice from a fraudulent attempt to steal your data or money.
1. Check the Sender’s Official Email Domain
The most immediate red flag is the sender's address. Philippine government agencies and recognized legal bodies use specific official domains.
- Courts/Judiciary: Official communications from the Supreme Court or lower courts usually end in
@judiciary.gov.ph. - Labor Cases: The NLRC typically uses official government emails. Be wary of addresses ending in
@gmail.com,@yahoo.com, or@outlook.comclaiming to be a "Government Labor Officer." - Barangay Mediation: While many Barangays are modernizing, they rarely initiate mediation solely via email without a prior physical summons (Patawag). If they do, the email should be verifiable through the official City or Municipal portal.
Note: Scammers often use "look-alike" domains (e.g.,
mediation-gov-ph.cominstead of.gov.ph). Always double-check every character.
2. Analyze the Content and Tone
Legitimate legal notices follow a standardized, professional, and neutral format. Scams rely on psychological pressure.
| Feature | Legitimate Notice | Scam/Phishing Email |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | Formal, procedural, and objective. | Threatening, aggressive, or overly urgent. |
| Language | Uses specific case numbers and legal terminology correctly. | Generic greetings ("Dear Citizen") and poor grammar. |
| Threats | Outlines legal consequences of non-appearance (e.g., "dismissal of complaint"). | Threats of "immediate arrest," "police raids," or "blacklisting." |
| Demands | Requests your presence at a specific venue or Zoom link. | Requests "settlement fees" or "processing fees" via Gcash/bank transfer. |
3. Verify the Case Information
A real mediation notice will include specific details that you can independently verify. Look for:
- Case Title and Docket Number: (e.g., Juan Dela Cruz vs. XYZ Corp, Case No. 12345).
- The Name of the Mediator/Officer: You can often find a list of accredited mediators on the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) or the Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR) websites.
- Physical Office Address: Even if the mediation is via video conference, the notice must state the physical office overseeing the case.
4. The "Payment" Litmus Test
This is the most critical rule: No Philippine court or government mediation body will ask you to settle a "fine" or "penalty" via email to avoid a lawsuit.
Mediation is a process for parties to reach a voluntary agreement. If the email demands that you pay a sum of money to a private bank account or mobile wallet to "drop the charges" or "stop the summons," it is a scam. Official filing fees or administrative costs are always paid through authorized government cashiers or official e-payment portals (like the Judiciary’s Link.BizPortal), never to a personal account.
5. Handling Suspicious Attachments
Scammers often attach "Summons.zip" or "Evidence.exe" files.
- Legitimate notices usually attach documents in PDF format.
- Never click on a link that asks you to "log in" to your bank or social media to view the case files. This is a credential harvesting tactic.
What to Do If You Are Uncertain
If the email looks "half-real," do not reply. Instead, take these proactive steps:
- Call the Office: Look up the official landline of the specific court or agency mentioned in the email (do not use the phone number provided inside the email).
- Visit the Agency: If it claims to be from your local Barangay or the NLRC, a quick physical visit to their office with a printout of the email will provide an immediate answer.
- Consult a Lawyer: If there is an actual case number, a lawyer can quickly verify the status of the docket through the court’s internal system.
Would you like me to draft a formal verification letter you can send to a government agency to confirm the authenticity of a notice?