Anti-Scam for the Elderly: What to Do and Report in the Philippines

From 1991 to 2022 the number of internet users worldwide increased rapidly from 2.6 million to 5.001 billion¹. We cannot deny that a large part of our lives now depends on technology. This dependence sped up by the COVID pandemic further accelerated the digital revolution,   which ushered in Life 3.0 with major improvements in artificial intelligence. But with the benefits that technology brings, also come the risks that are now threatening Filipino senior citizens. The usual scams that are designed to target the elderly are the following:

1. Romance scams
2. Phishing
3. Assisted Fund Transfers
4. Fake Investment Platforms
5. Tech Support Takeovers
6. Bogus Social Pension or Medical Aid Solicitations
7. SIM Swap / OTP Hijack
8. Emergency / “Grandchild in Trouble” Hoaxes

The following sections will focus on important actions to take, whether a senior citizen was a target or victim of a scam or any type of cybercrime.

I. Immediate Actions After Being Scammed
II. Reporting to Authorities in the Philippines About Cybercrime
III. Future Prevention / Call to Action

I. Immediate Actions After Being Scammed

1. Stay Calm and Provide Support. Victims, especially senior citizens, may feel ashamed, angry, or frustrated. It is important to be understanding and supportive. Let them know that they are not alone and that this happens to other older persons. It’s better to listen, offer emotional support and don’t judge.
2. Cut off All Communication with the Scammer. Block the scammer’s phone number, email address, and social media accounts. Do not try to contact them in any way.
3. Change All Passwords. If the password is given, immediately change it on all accounts that use the same password (email, online banking, social media, shopping sites, etc.). Use a strong password with a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all accounts where it is available.
4. Contact the Bank or Financial Institution Immediately. If bank account details, credit card numbers, or any financial information has been provided, call the bank or institution immediately to report it. Request to block or freeze the affected account or card to prevent further transactions. Ask if they have a process for recovering money.
5. Scan Device for Malware. If you click on a suspicious link or download a file, immediately scan the computer or smartphone used with reputable antivirus/anti-malware software. If the scammer has remote access to the computer, immediately disconnect it from the internet and run a deep scan.
6. Gather Evidence. Screenshot or save all communications (emails, text messages, chat logs, social media posts) from the scammer. Write down the date, time, name of the scammer (if any), and all the details of what happened. Keep any receipts or transaction details.

II. Reporting to Authorities in the Philippines About Cybercrime

Some senior citizens are ashamed to report that they were targets or victims of digital scams, but understand this, reporting is important to help authorities investigate the case and prevent others from becoming victims. By sharing important information, statistics about cybercrime will help us see what is the real situation in our country for senior citizens who are using these technologies.

1. Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) Inter-Agency Response Center (I-ARC) Hotline 1326:
   • Hotline: 1326
   • Alternative Mobile Numbers:
     • SMART: 0947-714-7105
     • DITO: 0991-481-4225
     • GLOBE: 0966-976-5971
   • Facebook Messenger Chat
     • https://m.me/CICC.gov.ph
   • Website
     • https://cicc.gov.ph/
2. Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG):
   • Mobile Numbers:
     • SMART / TALK ‘N TEXT / TNT: : 0968 867 4302
     • GLOBE: 09671360322
     • DITO: 09929893889
   • Email
     • messagecenter.acg@pnp.gov.ph
   • Website
     • https://acg.pnp.gov.ph/
   • Facebook Messsenger Chat
     • https://m.me/anticybercrimegroup
3. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division
   • Email: ccd@nbi.gov.ph
   • Mobile Numbers:
     • SMART: 0929-660-7861
     • GLOBE: 0945-442-0773
   • Website
     • NBI Divisions & Services: https://nbi.gov.ph/overview/divisions/
4. National Privacy Commission (NPC)
   • Email: info@privacy.gov.ph
   • Direct Line:
     • +632-5322-1322
   • Website
     • https://privacy.gov.ph/
5. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
   • Email: consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph
   • Direct Line:
     • +632-8811-1277
   • Facebook Messenger
     • BangkoSentralngPilipinas
   • Website
     • Consumer Assistance Channels and Chatbot: https://www.bsp.gov.ph/Pages/InclusiveFinance/ConsumerAssistanceChannelsChatbot.aspx
     • Directory of BSFI Consumer Assistance Channels: https://www.bsp.gov.ph/SitePages/InclusiveFinance/ConsumerAffairsDir.aspx

II. Future Prevention / Call to Action

1. Education and Discussion. Continue to talk to senior citizens about new types of scams. Using a laptop, teach them to hover over the link before clicking to see the real URL. Explain common signs of phishing:
   • Generic greeting (“Dear Customer”).
   • Links that ask for personal information.
   • There are grammatical errors and typos.
   • Rushing or threatening.
   • Offers that are “too good to be true.”
2. Establish a “Safe Word” or Code. Have a “safe word” or code between the senior citizen and a trusted family member. If someone calls pretending to be a family member in an emergency, they can ask for the “safe word” to confirm identity.
3. Update Softwares Regularly. Make sure the operating system and all apps on their device are always updated. Updates contain security patches.
4. Use Security Softwares. Make sure they have reputable antivirus and anti-malware software installed on their computer and smartphone.
5. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Transactions. Advise them to avoid doing online banking or accessing sensitive information when using public Wi-Fi.
6. Be Careful When Sharing Information Online. Remind them not to share personal information (such as date of birth, address, phone number) on social media that could be used by scammers.
7. Have a Trusted Contact. Encourage senior citizens to always consult a trusted family member or friend before making any financial decisions or clicking on suspicious links.

[1] UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development. 2024. Anti-Scam Handbook v1.0: Collective Response and Tools to Safeguard Development. UNDP official website. https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2024-10/undp_anti-scam_handbook_v1.0.pdf