Among the recommendations from various sources and specialists, one consistent piece of guidance is to refrain from clicking on random hyperlinks from unsolicited text messages, messaging applications, or emails.
As the festive season approaches, the notion of holiday shopping has transitioned online, reflecting the ongoing digital evolution of today’s society.
A multitude of websites exist for individuals to purchase Christmas gifts. Nevertheless, this ease of access has also opened doors for online fraudsters to take advantage.
They develop counterfeit websites aimed at capturing personal details from unsuspecting individuals.
Mel Migriño, the Country Head of Gogolook Philippines, cited a report from the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) that detailed the scams frequently faced by Filipinos.
“The research revealed that over 30% of Filipino participants have encountered scams related to shopping websites,” Ms. Migriño stated.
“This is followed by investment frauds, advance fee scams, and identity theft,” she further explained.
In light of this, Ms. Migriño emphasized the Web Checker feature of Whoscall, a worldwide anti-scam application, as a beneficial resource for the public.
“Users can utilize the automatic web checker functionality to assess whether a URL or domain appears suspicious, securing your internet connection,” Ms. Migriño clarified.
AI for victim profiling
Additionally, online scammers are increasingly harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to effectively target victims.
“With AI, fraudsters can swiftly analyze and identify their targets, which aids them in determining what types of social engineering strategies to employ,” Ms. Migriño remarked.
“I encourage everyone to consistently safeguard your data, uphold your right to privacy, and thoughtfully consider the extent of information you disclose online. To scammers, our personal details are the ultimate treasure,” she emphasized, highlighting the significance of protecting privacy.
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