The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday warned the public of several scams in the country amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a statement, NBI Director Eric Distor warned of the following COVID-19 scams online:
1.) Don’t let criminals steal your money or personal information. Beware especially of scammers and fraudulent emails regarding COVID-19. Scammers will use the Pandemic as cover or front to steal your money or your personal information, or both.
2.) Do not just clink on any link. Do your research first before clicking on any links purporting to provide any information and updates on the virus, donations, contributions to free food campaign, online food purchase or providing personal information to receive money or other benefits.
3.) Be watchful. Watch out for fake emails allegedly coming from DOH, DTI, RITM or even the IATF-IED and other task forces, law enforcement agencies or other organizations that claim to offer or require information on COVID-19.
4.) Think before you click on that link. It can deliver malware to your computer and steal personal information or lock your devices or cellphones and demand payment as ransom.
5.) Beware of websites and apps. They that say they can track COVID-19 cases worldwide or related campaign. Criminals will use these apps to infect and lock your devices until payment is made.
6.) Look out for fake or phishing e-mails. Don’t give your personal information especially when it pertains to online banking or on your financial or bank transactions requiring updates on your database. Contact your bank’s website or customer service hotline or post the emails or messages you received and let your bank validate it or file complaints in your behalf to the appropriate government or law enforcement agencies.
Distor also gave examples of COVID-19 scams. These may be treatment scams, supply scams, provider scams, charity scams, phishing scams, apps scams, bank/financial scams, investment scams, online selling scams, and other modus operandi or other scam methods.
“Please let us know. You may Contact the NBI Operation Center at 0961-734-9450 or refer to our NBI Anti-Fraud or Cybercrime Divisions (85238231-38). You may also post/send a message to our website www.nbi.gov.ph or NBI Facebook account National Bureau of Investigation regarding suspected emails or messages,” said Distor.