DICT rolls out Oplan Paskong Sigurado to protect Filipinos from online scams

The department has teamed up with relevant authorities to go after online scammers.

Photo from PCO

Gov't assures secure online transactions this Christmas

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has implemented its Oplan Paskong Sigurado to ensure Filipino consumers are protected from online scammers this season of giving.

In the past, authorities observed a spike in online scams during the Christmas season, amid increased online shopping and a focus on giving during the holidays. This season has made people more vulnerable to phishing, fake websites, and other fraudulent activities.

According to the DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, the department is working with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), banks, and law enforcers to implement the program.

"So, tuloy-tuloy po iyan at were making sure, we're working with BSP, with the banks, with the law enforcers matiwasay po dapat ang Pasko natin. So tuloy-tuloy lang po kayong mag-e-commerce, e-transaction," the DICT chief said.

Aguda asserted that there has been no data breach involving e-wallet services, citing the verification done by the National Privacy Commission (NPC).

Habang nagpapatuloy po na mag-verify kami doon sa mga report kasi kailangan naming gawin, gusto lang po namin linawin, we concluded—fake news po iyon, parang may na-recycle na news in the past na lumutang na lang, he said.

And sinabi naman ng website mismo, it's unverified. So out of an abundance of prudence and caution, NPC thought of checking it out, and lumabas naman po wala pong problema, Aguda emphasized.

What do you guys think?

Source: PCO