Filipino consumers are entering the peak holiday shopping season with heightened fears of mobile fraud, as new research from Appdome shows identity theft, synthetic fraud, and AI-powered scams are prompting users to delete or abandon apps at record levels.
The findings come as global fraud-monitoring firms NordLayer, SEON, and Kaspersky report fraud attempts rising by 22% to more than fourfold during Cyber Week, underscoring a threat environment that is outpacing current mobile security measures.
According to Appdome’s fifth annual Consumer Expectations of Mobile App Security Report:
- 43.4% of Filipinos identify mobile identity fraud as their top concern.
- 74.7% have deleted or abandoned apps over fraud or security issues.
- 34.1% say they or someone they know has fallen victim to social engineering scams.
With steep discounts, rushed checkout experiences, and surging mobile payments, consumers fear the season is “primed for fraud,” the report said.
“AI is changing the fraud landscape faster than mobile businesses can react,” Appdome co-creator and CEO Tom Tovar said.
“Consumers want proof that their apps can stop fraud before a holiday purchase is made, not after the damage is done.”
Deepfake payment approvals, automated bot attacks, and AI-enabled account takeovers are emerging as major drivers of mobile fraud in 2025.
Appdome’s survey found that while 67.2% of Filipinos view AI as an opportunity, 32.8% say it undermines the safety of mobile apps.
A large majority — 84.1% — expect apps to block AI-powered threats, yet only 60% believe apps are currently capable of doing so.
This gap, described by researchers as an “AI paradox,” places additional pressure on banks, retailers, travel platforms, and fintech services.
The report also highlights a shift in consumer expectations:
- 86.7% want fraud stopped before it occurs, instead of compensation after losses.
- 45.9% believe app developers — not devices, operating systems, or telcos — should be responsible for preventing fraud.
- 70% view strong privacy protections as essential, with 15.2% refusing to use apps lacking clear safeguards.
“Holiday shopping is when attackers strike hardest,” said Jamie Bertasi, Appdome’s chief customer officer. “AI now allows bad actors to mimic real users, hijack sessions, and trigger fraudulent transactions. Stopping these attacks inside the app is essential to protecting customers and revenue.”
Record mobile spending is expected from Black Friday through year-end, creating an ideal window for synthetic identity fraud, high-volume credential attacks, and automated scams.
Appdome’s findings suggest consumer loyalty is increasingly tied to visible in-app security, especially during the holidays. The report notes:
- 27.6% of users would leave positive reviews for apps that demonstrate strong protection.
- 24.7% would promote secure apps on social media.
With attackers now using AI to scale, adapt, and automate fraud, analysts warn that mobile app developers must enhance real-time defenses or risk losing both customers and revenue at the height of the shopping season.
