DICT intensifies fight vs cyber scams, strengthens cybersecurity measures


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The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is ramping up its efforts to combat cyber scams and fortify the country’s cybersecurity as digital threats continue to rise, DICT Secretary John Ivan Uy said Thursday, Jan. 30.

 

In an interview with state-controlled PTV-4, Uy warned Filipinos against falling for online scams that lure victims with promises of quick financial gain or instill fear through fraudulent government notifications.

 

“Napakatigas kasi ng ulo ng ilan sa mga kababayan natin. Ilang beses na nating ni-warning sila na huwag basta-basta maniwala sa mga alok na mukhang masyadong maganda (Some of our kababayans are very stubborn. We have warned them multiple times not to easily believe offers that seem too good to be true),” Uy said.

 

He cited two primary tactics used by scammers: the “carrot” method, which tempts victims with job offers, loan opportunities, or rewards points, and the “stick” approach, where fraudsters pose as government agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Land Transportation Office (LTO), or National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to threaten recipients into clicking malicious links.

 

“May polisiya na po na in-issue ang NTC at DICT sa lahat na lahat nang mga magti-text blast ay bawal po ang mga links (The NTC and DICT have issued a policy that prohibits all text blasts from containing links),” Uy emphasized. 

 

“Kung may natanggap kayong text na may kasamang link – scam na po iyon (If you received a text message with link—that’s a scam).”

 

Strengthening cybersecurity

 

To address the growing threat of cyber fraud, Uy said the DICT is working closely with other agencies and the private sector to enhance the country’s digital security framework.

 

The agency, he said, has been implementing stricter measures to block phishing attempts and fraudulent websites while also rolling out public awareness campaigns to educate Filipinos on cyber threats.

 

Uy also highlighted the role of the eGovPH Super App in streamlining government transactions and minimizing identity fraud. The app, which integrates multiple government services, includes biometric verification and National ID integration to prevent fake identities from being used in online scams.

 

“At dahil advanced technology po ito, medyo mawawala po iyong mga lokohan, iyong mga ID na isang tao pero lima o anim na pangalan at iba-ibang mga identity (And because this is advanced technology, scams will be reduced, such as cases where one person has five or six different names and multiple identities),” he said.

 

Also, the DICT said it is working with financial institutions and e-wallet providers to tighten security measures and prevent digital fraud. 

 

Uy reiterated that legitimate banks and government agencies do not send clickable links via text messages.

 

Call for vigilance

 

Despite the DICT’s efforts, Uy stressed that public vigilance remains crucial in stopping scams. He urged Filipinos to scrutinize offers that appear “too good to be true” and to refrain from clicking suspicious links or sharing personal information with unknown sources.

 

“Saan ho ba kayo makakakita na iPhone na ₱90,000, ibebenta sa iyo na ₱10,000 or ₱15,000? Napaka-obvious na noon eh kakagat pa kayo (Where can you find an iPhone worth ₱90,000 being sold to you for ₱10,000 or ₱15,000? It’s so obvious, yet you still fall for it)!he said.

 

Uy assured the public that the government will continue strengthening the country’s cybersecurity infrastructure, but ultimately, digital security begins with personal awareness and responsibility.