Guarding Against Holiday Shopping Scams

As the festive season approaches, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), a vital arm of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), issues a cautionary note to the public. Christmas shopping, a joyous tradition, is now met with a shadow as the Philippines records the highest shopping scam rate among 11 Asian countries, according to the 2023 Asia Scam Report.

CICC Executive Director, Alexander K. Ramos, urged the public to be "extra careful" during this holiday shopping spree, revealing that shopping scams typically surge during the Christmas season. Scammers exploit the increased volume of online shopping, capitalizing on people's vulnerability during this period.

Philippines Tops Shopping Scam Rate at 35.9%

The alarming statistics reveal that the Philippines has registered a staggering 35.9% shopping scam rate, as highlighted in the Asia Scam Report released at the 1st Anti-Scam Asia Summit in Taipei. Based on data collected from nearly 20,000 respondents across 11 countries in Asia, including the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia, the report sheds light on the prevalent threat of shopping scams during the holiday season.

CICC emphasizes that shopping scams are just one of nine "mainstream" scam scenarios and techniques. In addition to shopping scams, other prevalent scams include identity theft, investment scams, government/bank scams, job scams, lottery scams, family/relatives scams, bill payment scams, and charity scams.

Filipinos' Vulnerability and Immediate Reactions: A Cause for Concern

Ramos points out that Filipinos' susceptibility to falling into scams is heightened by their mindset and immediate reactions when faced with fraudulent schemes. The Asia Scam Report reveals that 24.8% of Filipino victims respond too quickly to scammers' demands, and 21.1% choose to take a risk despite uncertainty about the potential harm.

CICC's Call to Action and Support for Victims

In light of these concerning trends, the CICC encourages the public to be vigilant and provides a lifeline for those who fall victim to shopping and other cyber-related scams. Victims can contact "1326" for assistance and support.

As we enter the season of giving and celebration, let's ensure that the joy of holiday shopping is not marred by the threat of scams. The CICC's warning serves as a timely reminder to stay alert, verify online transactions, and report any suspicious activities. Let's make this holiday season a safe and secure one for all.

Secure Your Holidays with Directpath Global Technologies Inc.

As the holiday season beckons, the importance of cybersecurity is more pronounced than ever. Directpath Global Technologies Inc. stands ready to fortify your defences against cyber threats. Our services include:

• Extended Detection and Response (XDR):

  • Real-time, holistic threat detection, investigation, and response to safeguard your digital transactions.

• Vulnerability Risk Management as a Service (VRMaaS):

  • Proactive identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities, ensuring a resilient defence against potential risks.

• Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT):

  • Real-world cyber attack simulations to uncover and fortify potential weaknesses in your digital ecosystem.

• Web Application Firewall (WAF):

  • Ensuring the security of web applications, protecting against a range of online threats.

Empower your organization with our state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions. Wishing you a safe and secure holiday season!