Convenience often comes with a cost. And for many Filipinos, that cost is becoming the target of increasing online crimes such as scams. These scams often aim to trap unsuspecting victims and eventually cause both emotional and financial distress.
Over the years, these cybercrimes continue to evolve as digital tools become more accessible. Scammers become more creative by finding new ways to exploit users’ trust, technology gaps, and personal data. In the Philippines, 42.3% of users were attacked by web-borne threats, which makes us the third country that is affected by it globally, according to the Kapersky 2024 report.
The Scamming Landscape in the Philippines
Scams range from text-based schemes to elaborate online frauds that target users through multiple channels. Socioeconomic challenges, widespread mobile phone usage, and gaps in digital literacy have made the country particularly vulnerable to these types of crimes.
The government and private sector alike have raised alarm bells as more and more Filipinos fall prey to these deceptive schemes. But despite numerous warnings, the numbers continue to rise, partly because scammers are always one step ahead and we are one step behind.
One of the most common forms of scamming in the country involves text messages. These often come in the form of fake job offers, messages claiming you’ve won a prize, or impersonations of loved ones asking for money. These are designed to trigger emotional responses and immediate action.
In fact, as the Philippine News Agency reports, the country’s fraudulent communications have increased every quarter, with over 6 million scam texts and over 600,000 scam calls recorded. In the Philippines, including scams, they have continued to surge despite government efforts. One of the major concerns raised was how adaptive these scammers are in finding new avenues to deceive.
Initially, scam tactics focused heavily on text messages, targeting as many numbers as possible with low-effort, high-volume campaigns. More recently, however, phone calls have taken center stage, with scammers taking a more direct and convincing approach. These calls often involve someone pretending to be from a bank or government office, attempting to trick victims into revealing their personal and financial information under the guise of urgency or authority.
Moreover, online scammers are now leveraging AI tools to alter their voices, making their impersonations sound more convincing and difficult to detect. Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) revealed scam calls surged by an alarming 74% in the first quarter of 2025—rising from 108,157 cases in Q1 2024 to a staggering 351,699 in the same period this year. The majority of scam calls involve loan availment (55%), VIP rewards (24%), collections-related schemes (10%), transaction verification (5%), job applications (3%), and delivery-related scams (3%).
This sharp increase signals a significant shift in scam tactics as online scammers are moving away from indiscriminate mass messaging and instead focusing on more targeted schemes that rely heavily on social engineering and impersonation. With the help of free AI tools like ChatGPT and publicly available information about you in social media, these scamming techniques become more effective and also more accessible to anyone. This alarming statistic shows how serious and widespread the threat has become in the Philippines which raises the question: how can we overcome it?
How to Avoid Falling Victim
When it comes to text messages and phone calls, never share sensitive details like your full name, banking information, or ID numbers with unknown senders or callers. If something feels off, hang up or ignore the message. Avoid clicking on suspicious links sent via SMS, and don’t return missed calls from unfamiliar international or local numbers, as these may be part of one-ring call scams.
Moreover, make use of caller ID apps, spam blockers, and phone security settings to help filter out potential threats. And if you ever happen to answer a spam call, try to limit how much you speak, especially avoiding saying “yes” or any personal information, as these scammers can record and misuse your voice for verification or impersonation.
Above all, keep yourself informed. Follow advisories from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and other authorities. Report any scam attempts to help them monitor trends and warn others.
Scammers will continue to advance their steps, and we should be ten steps ahead of them. With every new technology or communication tool comes a new opportunity for fraud, but also a new way to fight back. As the surge in scam calls and online fraud continues to grow, the best protection is to be cyber-vigilant. We can create a more secure and empowered digital environment if we stay informed and alert. Remain vigilant, exercise caution, maintain safety, and avoid falling victim to scams.
As published in The Manila Times, dated 30 April 2025
