Why Filipinos easily fall for online scams

Being online these days provide lots of benefits. Information is easily accessible, entertainment is easy to find, banking is more convenient, and people are more active on social media. However, being online exposes people to certain dangers, like scams. Filipinos are no exception to this. In this article, we’ll explore why we are susceptible to online scams and learn how to protect ourselves from becoming victims.

Lack of awareness

Online scams feed on the lack of awareness of people. Scams succeed when potential victims are not aware of the methods used. One example is when scammers email you or call you over the phone to tell you that your bank account was suspended or that there were unauthorized transactions. They will then prompt you to log in to a fake website or provide sensitive information such as OTP or your card’s CVV.

This happened to me once when a scammer called pretending to be my bank. They even have my full name, address, credit card number, and expiry date. But when they asked for the CVV, I quickly dropped the call, thanks to the awareness that banks are not allowed to ask for that information.

Another example is when victims buy products with prices that are too good to be true from unverified sellers. The victim usually ends up with a fake or no product. Knowing red flags when doing transactions online is very important.

Need for money

The Philippines has a high poverty rate. DSWD’s Listahan 3 survey showed that over 5.6 million families live in poverty as of 2022. The job losses during the pandemic contributed to this number. Scammers prey on people’s desperation for money, which is why many fall for get-rich-quick schemes and promises of high investment returns, like those involving cryptocurrencies.

Trusting nature

We Filipinos are known to be friendly, hospitable, generous, and trusting. Many of us also find it hard to say no or reject offers for fear of hurting the other person’s feelings. Scammers use that to lure victims into buying things they don’t need (budol) or to invest in fake investments.

Laziness in doing research

Despite the tons of information that are easily accessible online, many Filipinos are too lazy to research before making a decision. Many would take the word of family or friends instead of taking their time to research online and find other people’s feedback (Reddit is a good place to start).

It’s essential for everyone (not just Filipinos) to be cautious online and to verify the authenticity of any offers or requests before giving out personal information or sending money. It’s also a good idea to educate others, especially those who may be less savvy about online scams, to help protect them from falling victim to these types of fraud.

Here are some tips to help you avoid falling victim to online scams:

Be cautious of unsolicited emails or messages: Scammers often use email or messaging apps to reach out to people. If you receive an unsolicited message from someone you don’t know, don’t click on the links or attachments. You might get directed to websites designed to steal your information or install malware on your device.

Don’t give out personal information: Be careful about sharing personal information, such as your name, address, or financial information, with anyone online. Only provide personal information when you are sure it is secure and necessary. If it’s bank-related, do not give your credit card’s CVV or OTP.

Use strong passwords and enable 2FA: Use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts and makes it harder for scammers to gain access.

Avoid online deals that seem too good to be true: If an online deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Be especially wary of offers that require you to pay upfront or provide personal information in exchange for a prize or gift.

Research the company or person before doing business with them: Do some research on the company or person before doing business with them. Check for reviews online to find out if the business is involved in some issues with its past customers.

And there you have it. We hope these tips will help protect you from online scams.