TACLOBAN CITY — BDO Unibank has urged its customers to remain vigilant against online scams, warning that fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated in using text messages, social media, phone calls and other channels to make their schemes appear legitimate.
During a media forum in Tacloban City on Sept. 4, BDO Executive Vice President and Banking Group Head Cora Malilin reminded customers of three basic rules to avoid falling victim to fraud: do not click suspicious links, never share account information and never disclose one-time passwords (OTPs).
“Let us not be tempted by what is being offered to us and let us not believe immediately,” Malilin said, urging customers to verify unsolicited messages, calls and offers before taking any action.
“These are the three things that we should always remember as we progress digitally. Let us not be victims of scams,” she added.
BDO Senior Vice President and Digital Banking Head Roy Villareal said scammers are exploiting virtually every available communication platform and have become adept at impersonating legitimate institutions, including banks.
“Be vigilant. Maging alisto tayo,” he said.
Villareal said scammers use text messages, social media and phone calls, among other channels, and may sound convincing enough to make it difficult for customers to immediately determine whether they are dealing with an actual bank representative.
“Mind you, they are professionals. So in the moment, it’s hard to discern or to differentiate if the one calling is a representative of the bank,” he said.
Villareal advised customers who receive unexpected calls, messages or offers that they do not understand to simply disengage.
“If you have no idea at all, do not entertain it, ignore it and move on,” he said.
BDO continues to issue security advisories through its website, mobile applications and other communication platforms to warn customers about emerging scams and fraud risks.
The bank’s efforts are in line with broader measures by financial regulators to strengthen consumer protection and increase public awareness of financial fraud.
Government agencies have also been conducting the “Protect Your Money” campaign, a joint initiative of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Insurance Commission, Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation and Securities and Exchange Commission. The campaign aims to help consumers identify fraudulent schemes, report suspicious activities and better understand their rights and responsibilities in financial transactions.
The financial sector is likewise implementing safeguards under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (Republic Act No. 12010), which strengthens measures against financial account scams and imposes penalties for fraudulent activities involving financial accounts.
Villareal said preventing financial fraud requires both banks and customers to play an active role, particularly as digital banking becomes increasingly common.
For customers, Malilin and Villareal emphasized that vigilance remains one of the most effective defenses against scams.
Their advice is straightforward: Do not be tempted. Do not click suspicious links. Never share account information or OTPs. And when in doubt, do not engage.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
