Public warned vs. phishing, donation scams amid Covid-19 crisis

Nograles, also the spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), advised individuals who opt to make transactions online during ECQ to be cautious against scammers. (File photo screengrab from PCOO via pnagovph/Twitter)

MANILA – Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) by perpetrating unlawful acts such as phishing and donation scams, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles cautioned the public on Saturday.

Nograles, also the spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), advised individuals who opt to make transactions online during ECQ to be cautious against scammers.

He made the warning in a virtual presser aired on state-run PTV-4, as he cited the “100-percent” reported a rise in incidents of phishing and donation schemes since the ECQ in the entire Luzon.

“The ECQ has compelled those of us fortunate to have Internet connections to go online to perform tasks that would ordinarily require us to leave our homes,” Nograles said. “While this has helped many of us cope with the limitations brought about by the ECQ…, everyone [is warned] to be cautious when it comes to your bank details.”

The entire Luzon was placed under ECQ until April 30 to halt the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the country.

People from Luzon are prohibited from leaving their homes during the ECQ unless they need to buy basic necessities or are exempted from the quarantine protocols.

Many have preferred to buy foods and pay bills online to keep them safe amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Nograles warned the public against cybercriminals who are posing as representatives of a legitimate banking institution to lure them to give their bank account details.

“Huwag nyo pong ibigay. Hindi po hihingin ng banko niyo ‘yan kahit kalian man, kahit sa ano mang pagkakataon (Do not give your sensitive banking details. Banks will never ask for it),” he said.

Nograles also reminded the public to be wary of social media posts asking for donations.

He said it would be better to help people they personally know.

“We encourage everyone to double-check and verify these requests for donations,” he said.

Nograles advised victims of phishing and donation scams to issue a complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation.

“Kung may mga reklamo po kayo hinggil dito, pwede nyo pong i-report ito sa NBI website (If you have a complaint regarding these incidents, you can report it to NBI website),” he said.

ECQ in Luzon, which was supposed to lapse on April 12, will end on April 30.