A simple guide to beating scams

BMI: AI AUTOMATION WILL PUT PHL OUTSOURCING JOBS AT RISK

- Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

SCAMS are everywhere these days—whether it's a sneaky text about your bank account, a Facebook ad promising quick riches from crypto trading, or a fake Lazada order that never arrives.

Just a few days ago, I happened to see an obviously fake socmed reel featuring Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto promoting an investment product. It was almost technically flawless, so any careless person would think it was really him inviting people to invest money for quick and big returns.

Just last year, financial scams cost Pinoys over P280 billion, with more than 60 percent of us targeted at least once, according to recent reports from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and global fraud trackers. But by spotting the red flags early and knowing exactly what to do if it happens to you or a loved one, we can fight back and protect ourselves, family, and friends.