There has been an increased search interest on fraud and scam in the Philippines in 2023, Google Philippines said on Tuesday.
 
Based on Google Trends, search interest in “fraud” reached a 13-year high while searches on “scam” were highest in 17 years, rising by more than 40 percent.
 
Globally, Philippines was among the top countries searching for the words cybercrime, phishing, malware, one-time password, password strength, and malinformation.
 
On Safer Internet Day, Google Philippines head of communications and public affairs Mervin Wenke warned of vulnerabilities that bad actors take advantage of.
 
Job offers that are seemingly too good to be true and opportunities that offer fast and big returns are considered red flags.
 
Wenke added that those who appears to have the means to spend - senior citizens, retirees, and people who are fond of posting on showing media about travel and purchases - are also vulnerable to fraud.
 
Even social media users who show feelings of loneliness and longing for companionship may become victims of love scam.
 
“Inaaral ang human behavior. Ginagagamit ang pangangailangan ng kababayan sa pera. ‘Yon ang ginagagamit nila para makabiktima. Wala sa teknolohiya ‘yan. Nasa atake ng scammer… Minsan hindi mo masisisi nadadala ng matatamis na salita ng scammer,” Wenke said.
 
Still receiving spam messages in your inbox? Here are some practices as advised by Google Philippines to avoid being scammed:

1. Slow it down: Avoid taking action the moment you receive the message.
2. Spot check: Check for grammatical and spelling errors.
3. Stop! Don’t send: Any unknown sender or number asking to send money, load credits, or asking for personal information should be tagged as suspicious.
4. Pay attention to links or what you are browsing: Avoid clicking links sent by suspicious accounts or senders. When there is a need to access certain sites, Google says it is safer to type the URL of the site you want to access than clicking a link sent to you.
5. Think first before sharing your Personal Identifiable Information (PII): Do not give out you full name, address, email, phone number, Social Security Number and credit card number. Linkable information or information that may be traced to you such as medical, educational, financial, and employment information should also be kept private. Posting these on social media might make you vulnerable to attackers.