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Written and researched by: Atty. Erol Stephen B. Pisec | Robert Paul A. Moreno | Yuji Marce G. Mediavillo
The changes to how we do things brought about by COVID-19, including the implementation of community quarantines, have increased our reliance on on-line platforms and services. Such reliance on these virtual modes of communicating and conducting commerce is dependent on extending much trust to a people we do not know or physically see. Unfortunately, this has also increased our vulnerability to scams and frauds. When such vulnerability becomes apparent, the prevalence of malicious people taking advantage of the situation also increases.
Even prior to the COVID-19 situation, these online scammers have become more brazen and sophisticated with their modus operandi over the years. But the confused environment now, has opened more doors for the scammers to continue to defraud a confused and vulnerable public.
But as G.I. Joe had taught the kids who grew up in the 90s, “knowing is half the battle.”
We attempt to arm you against these opportunist by providing some information on what the common scams are and how you can avoid them.
The prevalent online scams are the following:
- Phishing and pharming;
- Online shopping fraud;
- Fraudulent solicitation of donations;
- Selling of fake cure for COVID-19; and
- Fake news.
Phising and Pharming
According to the National Privacy Commission (“NPC”), phishing is the use of e-mails, instant messaging, and SMS to lure people into entering personal information on a fake website.
Pharming is attacking the Domain Name System (“DNS”) server of a legitimate website, which is usually a bank or e-commerce website, to redirect its users to a similar website run by pharmers.
Phishing scams are more common and use simple bait to extract personal information of individuals, while pharming affects thousands of victims simultaneously.
The Data Privacy Act of 2012 (“RA 10173”) defines personal information as any information whether recorded in a material form or not, from which the identity of an individual is apparent or can be reasonably and directly ascertained by the entity holding the information, or when put together with other information would directly and certainly identify an individual (Section 2(g), RA 10173).
How do you protect yourself from falling victim to Phishing?
Think twice before clicking once. Always make sure that the website, link, or email you are accessing is legitimate. There are websites which contain suspicious links, pop-ups and downloadable files, which could target and steal your personal information. Legitimate websites have little to no pop-up ads that are required to be clicked before proceeding. If you are unsure about the link, do not proceed. Usually, a green padlock symbol is displayed either in the bottom right-hand corner of the webpage or in the address bar if the website is secure.
Skepticism goes a long way. If you receive an email or any communication instructing you to give your personal information, always double check if that is the official e-mail or medium which was previously used to contact you. If it is your first time to receive a message from an e-mail address or mobile number which claims to have originated from a legitimate institution or organization, do not reply. Contact the institution or organization directly through their official contact details which may be found in their official websites. Remember, legitimate institutions, especially banks or other financial institutions, rarely ask for their customers’ personal information through e-mails, text messages or even phone calls.
Never share information especially in social media. Phishing scams are likewise prevalent in social media platforms and may come in the form of simple challenges or posts in Facebook walls or stories. These challenges or posts often ask people to provide seemingly harmless information such as the year a person met his spouse or the name of a person’s first pet, among others. Necessary precaution must be made when answering the same because these information may be used as basis for answers to secret questions in accessing the e-mail of a person. Your e-mail, once accessed, could be treated as a master key which could be used to open all accounts which are connected thereto, including bank accounts and private messages.
Online Shopping Fraud
Online shoppers should guard against frauds and scams which may come in the form of misleading or deceptive product advertisement, unexpected customs dues, transaction costs and surcharges, and privacy breaches and abuse of user information. If it is true good to be true, it is probably not true.
How do you protect yourself from falling victim to online shopping fraud?
Take your time to research. Read and understand the seller’s terms, conditions, and privacy policies. As much as possible, rely on recommendations from people who already transacted with the online seller without any qualms. Always read the reviews before clicking the add-to-cart button. Most importantly, always verify the identity and integrity of the seller before sending your payment or credit card details.
Never divulge personal or financial information to anyone via e-mail, especially unsolicited ones.
Fraudulent Solicitations of Donations
Some scheming opportunists make use of the pandemic crisis to obtain money for their personal use from unsuspecting donors. These people make it appear that they are part of a project that procures personal protective equipment (“PPEs”) for health workers, or gives food packs to the needy. However, the money and/or goods are actually misappropriated for their own benefit and never reach the alleged intended beneficiaries.
How can you prevent being a victim of this scheme?
Make sure that the charity or campaign is legitimate. Ask for the concrete course of action and some proof that the donations would indeed reach the intended beneficiaries. Look for red flags. Some of these red flags are: undue pressure to make donations, unrealistic promises, unidentified donees, non-transparent or unbelievable audits.
Fake Covid-19 Medicines
As of today, both the World Health Organization and the Department of Health has not yet authorized the release of a cure or medicine for said disease. Fraudulent sellers pretend to have a product that could cure the virus when the products they are actually selling are fake, which could actually either be cures for other illnesses, or do not do anything at all. Desperate victims may fall for this scheme.
To avoid falling victim to this scheme, visit your trusted government websites such as the Department of Health (“DOH”) and Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). You may also rely on reputable news sources or you may directly consult a licensed physician.
Don’t just avoid these online scams, do your part in reporting them as well. These online scams will not end unless these scammers are not held responsible for their wrongful acts.
You can do your part by reporting online scams. You may file a complaint with the Department of Justice through the following means:
- Office of the Cybercrime (OOC), 3rd Floor, De Las Alas Bldg., Department of Justice, P. Faura Street, Ermita, Manila; however, walk-in complaints are not viable right now due to the ECQ;
- DOJ Website: www.doj.gov.ph
- E-mail: cybercrime@doj.gov.ph
- Telephone number: 526-2747/521-8345
