MANILA – To promote vigilance against frauds and scams, "Be Wais at Magduda: Anti-Scam Campaign” was launched on Saturday at the Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia. 

The anti-scam campaign focuses on the safety and security of Filipinos in the digital world, pushing for initiatives to promote digital literacy. 

Vivien Alarcado, officer-in-charge of Consumer Advocacy Division of the Department of Trade and Industry, reiterated the department’s commitment to protect consumers from fraudulent practices in the e-commerce world.

She said that the government and other relevant stakeholders are doing their best to be responsive against frauds and scams.

“Strategic campaigns such as the Be Wais Campaign remain significant as DTI recognizes the need for a multi-faceted approach that involves the government and the private sector in effectively implementing measures that safeguard consumers,” she said.

Meanwhile, Bryant Fernandez of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), shared how the commission has been acting on financial-related scams in the country.

“Last year alone, the SEC issued 275 advisories and 19 cease and desist orders against entities who have been soliciting investments from the public without the necessary license from the commission,” he said. 

“The SEC also filed criminal complaints against 228 corporations and individuals while actively prosecuting 355 individuals in court.” 

For Shanti Alexander, Head of Policy Programs and Campaigns for Asia Pacific at Meta, joining and supporting Be Wais at Magduda Campaign matches their company’s ongoing initiatives in ensuring safety of online citizens, by helping them become responsible. 

“We do this through training resources on digital parenting, on avoiding scams, and on foundational digital skills such as safety and privacy,” she said.

 Joaquin San Agustin, senior vice-president of Marketing of SM Supermalls, said awareness on how scams take on various forms is an effective preventive measure.

 In this way, people can easily steer away from such scams. This, for San Agustin, will help Filipinos to make more informed decisions despite the proliferation of online deception.

 “We hope to empower Filipinos of all ages to become more critical users of digital media. From knowing how to spot mis- and disinformation to safeguarding our personal data,” he said.

 With this, skits were presented to show different kinds of frauds and scams prevalent in the country such as online, investment, love, employment, and phishing scams.