FACT CHECK: Posts on pawnshop’s job ads are fake, linked to phishing site

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Results from scanning tools show that the fake links redirect to a website flagged as malicious because of phishing risks

Claim: Palawan Pawnshop is hiring, and interested applicants can use the link attached to the job post to submit their application.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: Several posts with the false claim have been circulating on Facebook, with the most popular one garnering 1,800 shares and 325 reactions. Pages spreading the claim often impersonate the government, with names like “Filipino Gazette,” “Ph. Recruitment Site,” and “Ph. Government Hiring.”

The post includes the list of available roles, monthly salary, benefits, and qualifications for the open positions.

“Please submit your application via link and fill out [the] form carefully,” the caption adds, including a link to what appears to be an application form. “Apply na sa Palawan Pawnship (sic) and Pera Padala.”

The facts: Link checkers show that the registration links attached to the posts lead to a possible phishing site.

Results from scanning tool urlscan.io show that the fake link redirects to a URL using the name of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), with job post pages using the name of the Department of Education and Palawan Pawnshop. Link checker VirusTotal flagged the website as malicious because of phishing risks.

Filling out unofficial application forms with personal information may expose users to phishing scams. (READ: Phishing 101: How to spot and avoid phishing)

The PRC has previously warned that the website used in the post is not connected to or authorized by the government agency. 

A similar post published by a different Facebook page was also debunked by Palawan Pawnshop in a statement sent to ABS-CBN Fact Check, where the pawnshop said, “Please be informed that we are not affiliated with the Facebook post you are referring [to].”

Not an official site: None of the Facebook pages and websites spreading the false claim are listed on Palawan Pawnshop’s official website. Legitimate social media accounts include its official Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube accounts.  

Genuine job vacancies can be found posted on these accounts and the pawnshop website’s career page.

Previous fact-checks: Rappler has debunked other false claims about fake registration forms used for online scams:

• FACT CHECK: Fake LTO job posts lead to phishing, shopping sites
• FACT CHECK: Registration links for education cash aid lead to shopping sites 
• FACT CHECK: NCAP violation checker website is fake
• FACT CHECK: Post linking to CHED-UniFAST scholarship application is fake
• FACT CHECK: Website showing 4Ps February 2025 beneficiaries is fake

– Shay Du/Rappler.com

Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. You may also report dubious claims to the #FactsFirstPH tipline by messaging Rappler on Facebook or Newsbreak via Twitter direct message. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.