Online scams continue to evolve, and today’s schemes are becoming more polished, targeted, and difficult to spot. From fake travel deals to messages that appear to come from legitimate organizations, scammers are finding new ways to give us a false sense of security and pressure us into clicking links, sending money, or revealing sensitive information. Before you know it, your next budol moment might actually be a true-to-life scam.
CIMB Bank Philippines reminds us to stay alert and think twice before acting on or responding to suspicious messages or offers that seem too urgent or too good to be true. Here are some of the more recent scams circulating that you should watch out for:
“Your points are expiring” scam
Scammers send text messages, emails, or chat messages claiming that you have rewards points, vouchers, or loyalty credits that are about to expire within the day. The message creates a sense of urgency and urges you to click a link immediately to “redeem” your points before they disappear.
You might end up thinking, “Sayang naman!” when you read it, but don’t click that link just yet. According to the United States Federal Trade Commission, clicking these types of links may allow scammers to steal your personal information or install harmful software on your phone. If you receive a text like this, resist the urge to click and double-check the company’s website or app first and find the offer yourself. If you are truly part of the company’s loyalty program, check your rewards points first if they are really expiring before doing anything.
Fake hotel or resort booking offers
With many of us planning vacations or weekend getaways with our family or barkada this summer, scammers are taking advantage of the peak travel season by posting attractive hotel or resort promos online – often at heavily discounted prices. The Philippine Information Agency said that these scams are now harder to spot because they have gotten more sophisticated – fake pages now look professional, fabricated reviews seem genuine, and the scammers’ pressure tactics are designed to make you act before you think. These fraudsters will ask you to pay through a personal account or e-wallet rather than an official business channel, and once you do, the “booking” evaporates and so do they.
The agency advises us to check before paying for anything. First, look at the page, not just the post. Check the page’s transparency information – when it was created, whether the name was changed, where the admins are located – as well as the comments on the page. It’s a red flag when comments are hidden, disabled, or just filled with generic praise from accounts with no profile photos. Lastly, verify independently before you pay. Search for the business on Google Maps, find their official website, and call or email them directly to confirm whether the booking exists. Once confirmed, never pay through a personal bank account or e-wallet. Legitimate businesses collect payments through official bank accounts, secure payment gateways, or verified booking platforms.
Scammers impersonating government employees
Fraudsters have recently been pretending to represent government agencies and contacting victims through calls, text messages, emails, or social media. Their methods vary, often claiming that you have an issue involving taxes, benefits, and government transactions, using fear or urgency to pressure you into immediate action. Some scammers also use the name of government officials to solicit money illegally – a tactic which the Department of Budget and Management, Bureau of Immigration, and Department of the Interior and Local Government have already warned the public about after becoming targets themselves.
The Bureau of Immigration reminds us that official communications from government officers are coursed through proper and verifiable channels. Always check the official pages and websites of government agencies first and report any suspicious messages to the concerned agency directly for immediate action.
You can also report online scams to the National Bureau of Investigation’s Cybercrime Division (NBI CCD) via email [email protected] or by phone at (02) 8523-8231 to 38 (Local 3455), or via the 24/7 hotline of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), which is Hotline 1326.
As scammers continue to adapt their tactics, staying cautious online is now more important than ever. Always be vigilant in verifying promos and requests for information. Never click on suspicious links, share one-time passwords, or send money to unverified individuals or accounts.
For CIMB Bank PH, banking can be done safely and securely via the CIMB Bank PH app. Always make sure to keep your app updated, follow CIMB’’s official channels, and report any suspicious activity in your account to our Help Center on our mobile app or visit cimbbank.com.ph/ContactUs.
Protecting your money starts with protecting your personal information. A moment of caution today can save you from financial loss tomorrow – so always pause, verify, and protect your information online.
