The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has urged consumers to exercise greater caution in online transactions as scammers are expected to exploit the surge in shopping, gift deliveries and travel bookings ahead of the Christmas season.
The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) warned that fraudsters typically use fake promotional offers, bogus prize announcements and fraudulent delivery notifications to trick unsuspecting victims into surrendering money or personal information.
Police Lt. Col. Zyrah Joy Cabal, ACG public information officer, said the expected increase in internet-based transactions during the holidays could provide scammers with more opportunities to victimize consumers.
She advised the public against immediately clicking links received through text messages, particularly those that create a sense of urgency or claim that recipients have won prizes or need to settle delivery fees.
“Their objective is really to make people panic. So our first advice is not to simply click links sent through text messages,” Cabal said in a phone interview with state-run PTV on Thursday.
She also urged online shoppers to verify sellers and promotional offers before making payments, emphasizing the importance of transacting only through legitimate websites and verified accounts.
Consumers should likewise exercise caution when providing personal and financial information, especially when dealing with unfamiliar online sellers or receiving unsolicited messages.
For those who fall victim to online fraud, Cabal encouraged immediate reporting to the ACG or other appropriate authorities.
Victims should preserve evidence that could help investigators trace the perpetrators, including screenshots of conversations, payment receipts, account names, contact numbers and links to the profiles used by the suspected scammers.
She also appealed to victims not to let embarrassment prevent them from reporting incidents, stressing that prompt complaints could help authorities investigate cases and prevent further victimization.
“Many people are really hesitant to report. We should not be ashamed to file a complaint and approach the Anti-Cybercrime Group,” she said.
Cabal reminded consumers that money intended for Christmas celebrations represents the fruits of their hard work and sacrifices and should not be allowed to fall into the hands of online criminals.
With digital transactions expected to increase during the holiday shopping rush, the PNP said vigilance and verification remain essential safeguards against cyber fraud.