Top anti-cybercrime agencies have launched an anti-fraud campaign this summer season with finance app GCash, the sole electronic money institution (EMI) partner. Dubbed ‘Online Bantay Lakbay’, the campaign aims to protect the public from online travel scams, particularly during the summer holidays. Online Bantay Lakbay was launched at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).
Officials from several government agencies attended the launch, including Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Benhur Abalos, Jr., Department of Transportation (DOTr) secretary Jaime Bautista, Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) secretary Ivan John Uy, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Romando Artes, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) assistant secretary Mary Rose Magsaysay, and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief P/Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr.
“Trust and security is our number priority and it goes beyond the GCash app. We are one with the government and other stakeholders in creating awareness among the public on how they can protect themselves from scammers. We also strongly support law enforcement efforts in running after fraudsters as we continue to build a safe digital ecosystem for all,” said Gilda Maquilan, GCash vice president for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs.
The DICT and DOTr said that GCash is an essential partner in the campaign. Being the country’s largest cashless ecosystem that prioritizes online security through its campaign #GSafeTayo, GCash produced educational banners to be displayed in all airport terminals (T1-4), Mactan, Clark, and Bohol. The banners will also be distributed at 44 seaports, 81 bus terminals, and 22 train stations across the country.
The DICT and DOTr also emphasized the importance of users reporting scams and fraud to the proper authorities during the summer holidays by sending a message to 1326. Likewise, GCash reiterates its warning for users to never disclose their MPIN and OTP.
The Online Bantay Lakbay campaign identified the most common scams, such as fake online bookings for travel and accommodation, cheap online tickets on social media with time limit pressure, fake Wi-Fi used for phishing, too-good-to-be-true deals, ‘free’ vacation traps, fake travel agents, overpriced tours, charity scams, counterfeit cash, hidden CCTVs, fake taxis, selling of lost luggage on social media, fake SIM cards, and fixers.
The launch of Online Bantay Lakbay sends a strong message against perpetrators while educating users to be aware and extra vigilant against possible scams that can ruin their holiday.
