The Teacher’s Service Commission (TSC) has warned teachers to be wary of links shared by fraudsters to get their TSC registration certificates.
In a statement to warn unsuspecting teachers over the fake links, the Teachers Service Commission emphasized that the ministry only has one official link to download the certificate.
“Please beware of fake links purporting to issue teacher registration certificates,” TSC noted.
Also, TSC clarified on the genuine link to access registration certificates.
How the Scam Works
Scammers often send emails or text messages to unsuspecting Kenyans claiming to be from government institutions.
Most times they appear to be from legitimate organizations, such as the TSC.
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These messages typically contain a link that the scammers claim will allow teachers in this case to register for or renew their teaching certificates.
When teachers click on the link, they are redirected to a fake website that appears to be the official TSC website.
In addition, the victims are requested to enter personal information such as their name, address, and credit card number on the bogus website.
As a result, these fraudsters can exploit the instructors’ personal information to commit identity theft or other financial crimes.
How to Prevent Falling Victim
To be safe from scammers, do not click on links in unsolicited emails or mobile messages.
If you are unsure whether an email or text message is genuine, you can contact the alleged sender to confirm its legitimacy.
Also, take care with the information you post online. Do not give out your personal information to someone you do not know and trust, including your name, address, and credit card number.
For your online accounts, choose a strong password including at least eight characters long and containing a combination of capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
What to do if You Have Been Scammed
Similarly, if you believe you have been duped, contact your bank or credit card company immediately to report the fraudulent activity.
Likewise, change the passwords for all your internet accounts as well.
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You should also notify the appropriate authorities about the scam.
In Kenya, you can report the scam to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ (DCI) Cybercrime Unit.
Nonetheless, teachers who fall prey to this fraud may face a number of dire consequences, including financial loss, identity theft, and reputational damage.
In some cases, teachers who fall victim to such crimes may even lose their jobs.
TSC Announces Online Generated Certificates
The teachers service commission had announced the rolling out of digital/online registration certificates bearing TSC numbers to successful new teacher registration applicants.
In addition, TSC stated that teachers will receive their registration certificates through email from November 1, 2023.
“Teachers will receive their registration certificates attached to their email addresses. They will be required to download and print the digital certificates for use. This is aimed at improving service delivery,” said the commission in a Saturday, November 5 statement.
