Be smarter than scammers

Text scams — urgent messages promising rewards or fake promotions — have become a daily headache for Filipinos. Although reports of these scams have decreased as fraudsters shift to calls, the threat remains serious. Stay alert to protect yourself from these clever tricks.

One convincing message can swiftly drain a family’s savings in minutes, highlighting the critical need for proactive consumer education in banks, e-wallets and fintech firms. This is why banks, e-wallets, and fintech firms are increasingly treating consumer education not as a compliance add-on, but as core infrastructure. Filters and firewalls matter, but the most critical line of defense is still the user holding the phone.

Most major banks and digital finance platforms now provide constant advisories through various channels, including in-app banners, text reminders, social media posts and website explanations. They emphasize that legitimate institutions will never ask for one-time passwords, MPINs, or full card details via text messages or links that appear suspicious.

What’s evolving is not only the frequency of messaging but also its form. Some institutions are shifting from static warnings to more engaging tactics. For example, Maya has tried flipping the scammer’s script by sending simulated scam-style messages that initially evoke surprise or even joy, only to reveal that the message is part of a safety campaign. This strategy highlights the emotional mechanics of fraud, such as urgency, fear and the illusion of authority.

Some observers may find this approach harsh or even distasteful. It intentionally manipulates the same emotional triggers that scammers exploit. However, that discomfort serves a purpose. By placing users in a simulated high-pressure situation, the campaign evaluates how aware and prepared they really are, while reinforcing the instinct to pause instead of clicking. In a world where criminals exploit psychological tactics, awareness campaigns that engage emotions may prove more effective than merely offering polite reminders.

This shift recognizes a fundamental truth — scams are behavioral attacks as much as they are technological ones. Fraudsters succeed because they understand how individuals react under stress. Educational efforts that directly address these emotional triggers are more likely to change behavior.

The government has strengthened its role in combating fraud. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas issues consumer advisories and requires institutions to enhance fraud prevention measures. The Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Telecommunications Commission collaborate with telecom companies to eliminate spoof sender IDs and block harmful numbers. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center coordinates law enforcement responses and reporting channels.

To ensure effectiveness, advisories must provide clear, actionable steps. Rather than just saying “don’t click,” they should guide users to freeze their accounts, change passwords, report incidents promptly, and use official in-app channels for reporting. Accessibility of reporting features should be a top priority on the platforms.

As a Poll Starter, we have an opportunity to treat education as a dynamic product by continuously testing, measuring, and refining it. Normalizing discussions about scams can help spread valuable lessons quickly, outpacing the fraudsters’ tactics. Collaboration among banks, fintech companies, government agencies, and telecom providers is essential to develop effective safeguards and raise public awareness.

The digital finance boom in the Philippines enhances financial inclusion, but it also attracts opportunists. A sustainable solution involves not only improving algorithms but also sharpening our instincts. By making education as adaptive and creative as the scams it fights, we can reduce fraud and strengthen public trust in the digital economy.