DAGUPAN CITY – The number of reported online scams in the country is on the rise as the holiday season approaches, particularly with December just around the corner.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo Dagupan, Pat. Alexandra Cruz, an investigator from the Women and Children Cybercrime Protection Section, highlighted that prevalent scams include online shopping scams and vacation scams.
As Filipinos engage in gift-giving, many prefer online shopping for convenience and savings, but this often puts them at risk.
“Many online sellers can be scammers,” Cruz warned. “Some products appear too good to be true, with prices slashed to less than half of what you’d pay in stores.”
With the holiday season nearing, vacation scams are also becoming more common.
Victims booking hotels, accommodations, and transportation online often make down payments only to find themselves blocked by the scammer afterward.
Cruz advised the public to verify the legitimacy of sellers before making transactions.
“Always check their page and use trusted platforms. Buy from official stores, authorized outlets, and legitimate resellers to avoid online shopping scams.” Cruz added.
She encouraged anyone with questions or concerns to contact their office or visit their Facebook page to report online scams.
It is essential to bring printed documents related to any transaction to facilitate a resolution.