In its 2024 Philippine Scam Report, the service owned by Taiwanese “trust tech” firm Gogolook, the company said the data underscores the persistent rise in fraudulent activities targeting Filipino consumers.
The report noted a significant increase in scams during the last quarter of 2024, particularly during the “ber” months from September to December.
This period accounted for 2.75 million SMS scams, fueled by heightened consumer activity and holiday-related transactions. Scam categories included loan-related schemes (23 percent), phishing registrations (18 percent), and investment scams (12 percent), among others. Tech gadgets and gift card fraud were also common, each making up 5 percent of the cases.
Monthly statistics showed December as the peak month for scam incidents, with 86,950 scam calls and 708,005 SMS scams recorded. The report also highlighted the use of 16,553 risky URLs in 2024 to execute scams, with phishing schemes and malicious app downloads being the most prevalent.
Employment-related scams (12 percent) and fake online shopping deals (18 percent) were prominent tactics used by fraudsters. These schemes often preyed on individuals seeking jobs or affordable products during the holiday season.
Whoscall emphasized the role of real-time scam alerts and consumer awareness in combating these threats. A new feature to be introduced this year will provide a centralized hub for scam-related news and updates, aiming to better equip users with knowledge to identify and avoid fraud.
The Global Anti-Scam Alliance backed the report’s findings, noting the Philippines’ vulnerability due to the increasing reliance on digital platforms for communication, work, and shopping. The organization called for stronger cybersecurity measures and public-private collaboration to mitigate the risks posed by these scams.
Whoscall encouraged consumers to remain vigilant and cautious, particularly when interacting with unknown numbers, clicking on suspicious links, or sharing personal information online. With scams showing no sign of slowing down, proactive measures and collective action remain critical. — Ed: DLL
