THE Christmas season is a time of joy and generosity that can also be a prime period for cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting individuals. With the surge in digital transactions and the influx of holiday bonuses, scammers view the season as an ideal opportunity to carry out their schemes.
Most victims often fall into these traps upon seeing a post that lures them to visit a website and then eventually enter credit card details to secure an offer. Multiple unauthorized charges follow, the post is revealed to be a phishing attempt and the website turns out to be a fake designed to steal personal and financial details. Individuals are now more vulnerable to fraud and being vigilant has become more critical.
The reality of cybercrime is evident. According to a Social Weather Stations survey, the prevalence of victimization by crimes is often much higher than reported incidents. While traditional crimes like pickpocketing, burglary and carjacking remain top concerns in the Philippines, cybercrimes like hacking, phishing and online scams have proliferated over the past year.
In recent months, cybercrime victimization has risen sharply across the Philippines. Families affected by cybercrimes surged to 7.2 percent in September from 3.7 percent in June. Broken down, Metro Manila saw a rise to 12.3 percent from 3 percent; Balance Luzon, or areas outside Metro Manila, 6.3 percent from 5.2 percent; the Visayas, 7.7 percent from 1.7 percent; and in Mindanao, 5.7 percent from 3.0 percent.
These rapid surges prove that there is an urgent need to protect ourselves from being victimized, especially as the season of bonuses and online spending heightens the risk of being preyed upon.
According to the 2024 Asia Scam Report, Filipinos are mostly victimized via shopping scams. It is quite timely now that we are in the Christmas season and more shops are having sales. So, to have a seamless and safe Christmas shopping experience, here’s how you can avoid falling victim to cybercrime:
– Be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true. Scammers often use enticing offers to lure individuals into sharing sensitive information or making unauthorized payments. For instance, gadgets that are suddenly sold at an unrealistically low price should raise suspicion. Another new tactic involves scammers impersonating manufacturers to post fake “apology messages” about long queues in physical stores and offering an “80-percent off sale.”
These posts often include staged photos and urge readers to take advantage of the online discount through a fraudulent link. Due to the urgency and different psychological approach using the “fear of missing out,” readers are easily tricked. If you’re unsure about a social media post, link or an email, it’s better to steer clear of such offers and avoid clicking on unfamiliar links.
– Monitor your accounts. Regularly review your bank accounts and credit scores for any unusual activity. Keep track of your savings and expenses in case anything is lost. If you see any unusual activity or loss, report these immediately to your bank. Being alert and quick detection can prevent further financial or personal damage.
– Create strong passwords. Avoid using predictable passwords and passcodes like birthdays, favorite words, your name or familiar street names. Use complex combinations of letters, numbers and symbols to make it more difficult for hackers to crack your accounts.
– Quadruple-check transactions. Always verify the authenticity of online sellers, websites or payment platforms before making transactions. Scammers often use dummy accounts to mimic legitimate businesses or even buy followers to make it look like they have a wide following and can be trusted. Check reviews, verify contact details and ensure secure payment options.
If you do get scammed, here’s what you can do:
– Immediately secure your devices and change passwords.
– Contact your bank or e-wallet provider to freeze transactions.
– Report the incident to authorities such as the National Bureau of Investigation, the Cybercrime Division of the Philippine National Police or contact the Inter-Agency Response Center Hotline 1326.
– Lastly, document everything. From the conversations to the phone calls, make sure you have enough evidence to track down these scammers.
While the holiday season amplifies the risk of scams, these threats will persist all year. It is a daily responsibility to protect your digital identity and to stay vigilant at all times. By doing so, you can enjoy the holiday season and not fall prey to cybercriminals even after. Remember, your caution today can save you from a scam tomorrow.
Leonard Duque is the director and chief information officer for the Technology Solutions Group at P&A Grant Thornton. One of the leading audit, tax, advisory and outsourcing firms in the Philippines, P&A Grant Thornton is composed of 29 partners and 1,500 staff members. We’d like to hear from you! Connect with us on LinkedIn and like us on Facebook at P&A Grant Thornton and email your comments to [email protected]. For more information, visit our website at www.grantthornton.com.ph.
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