As Christmas approaches, Filipinos are scrambling once again to buy gifts for their friends and loved ones—from groceries, new outfits, to handy home appliances. It’s easy to shop around these days as we can buy everything with just a click.
However, shopping online also has its drawbacks — especially with cybercriminals lurking around.
Phishing is one of the most common cybercrimes in the Philippines. It is a scam where fraudsters will send a link through an email or a text that looks like it came from your bank. Once you click on the link, you will be directed to a website where you will be asked to enter your personal information such as username and password.
That website is just a fake version of your bank’s website which is designed to steal your data.
Phishing can even happen through phone calls. For example, cybercriminals will say you have a problem with your bank account and to resolve the issue, you would need to give your One-Time Password (OTP) to them.
Once they get your data, cybercriminals can access your account and steal your money. Christmas is not the only time you should be vigilant against phishing, but throughout the year because you can be a victim anytime and anywhere you are.
So, how can you protect yourself from phishing?
First, remember that your bank will never ask for your personal information such as OTP and your account details. Banks know that these data are confidential. Therefore, if someone asks through email, text, or call for your personal data, then that’s a cybercriminal waiting to attack.
Second, you should know how to differentiate between what your bank’s website looks like from fake ones. You should also learn to know how banks format their emails and text messages. Some common signs that you have received a fake email or text from a bank include grammatical errors and suspicious links wherein you would need to enter your personal or financial information.
Third, verify the messages you receive. For example, if you received an email saying the bank will close your account, ask yourself: Did I do anything recently that violates the law? If someone told you that an unauthorized transaction happened, then check your account if there was money that left your account in the first place.
Cybercriminals will often make victims feel scared about these urgent requests, such as their accounts will be closed if they do not give their OTP and/or bank and financial details. When you receive these messages, always make sure to verify their content.
Lastly, you should report cybercriminals to your bank and the authorities. This is important because once you make a report, they will work to stop the scammers and their illegal operations. Reporting cybercriminals does not just protect you as it ensures they will no longer harm other people.
Today, cybercriminals are becoming more creative to defraud the public. It’s important to remain vigilant against phishing. Remember, cybercriminals will never be able to steal anything through phishing if you do not give your personal information to them.