The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is urging the public to stay vigilant against online scams as Holy Week and April Fool’s Day drive higher digital activity, creating more opportunities for fraud.
In a statement, the bank said the occasions are marked by increased online transactions — including donations, fund transfers, and purchases — are often exploited by cybercriminals who take advantage of urgency and heightened emotions.
BPI noted that scams have become more sophisticated, with fraudulent messages and schemes increasingly mimicking legitimate communications from banks, institutions, or even personal contacts.
Common tactics include phishing messages, fake payment links, impersonation, and bogus donation drives.
“Scammers often rely on urgency and emotion to pressure people into acting quickly without verifying the call,” said Jonathan John B. Paz, head of enterprise fraud risk and information security management at BPI.
“Practicing good cyber hygiene and verifying offers before making transactions can help prevent financial loss and protect sensitive information.”
The bank said fraudsters typically attempt to extract sensitive data such as card numbers, expiration dates, CVV codes, one-time passwords (OTPs), and online banking credentials through deceptive links and messages.
BPI advised users not to share personal or banking information, avoid clicking links from unsolicited messages, and download apps only from official platforms.
It also warned against handing over bank cards or responding to requests for urgent financial assistance without verification.
“Cybersecurity starts with simple everyday habits,” Paz added. “Taking time to update contact information, review security settings, and stay alert online can go a long way in protecting your accounts.”
