Online scams in the Philippines continue to rise every year, particularly as the holiday season nears, according to Scam Watch co-founder Art Samaniego Jr.

In an exclusive interview with DZRH on Saturday, Samaniego warned the public to stay vigilant against several online scam schemes that proliferate during Christmas.

“Taon-taon ‘yan, nakikita namin na talagang spike. Mga August, September, pagdating ng November dahan-dahan nang tataas ‘yan. ‘Pag December talagang spike 'yung kaso ng mga online scam,” Samaniego said.

He explained that scammers often send fake delivery notifications, claiming recipients have packages to claim.

"Mas maraming nagpapadala ng fake delivery notice, sasabihin sa iyo na mayroon kang ike-claim na package. Tapos may mga bogus na online sellers, nagkalat ngayon yan sa Facebook marketplace," Samaniego explained.

“Maraming phishing links sa mga messages natatanggap natin sa SMS ngayong papalapit na yung Pasko. Kasi alam nila yung tao maraming pera ngayong Pasko,” he added.

To combat these scams, Scam Watch maintains close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) and the Whoscall app, which helps identify scam callers.

“Meron kaming close coordination with PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group at ng Huscold, yung app na malalaman na scam yung tumatawag. So meron kaming close coordination. At marami din nagko-complain sa amin. So pag may nag-complain sa amin, bina-validate muna namin," he noted.

He said that they provide the data to the PNP-ACG and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center and monitor these incidents alongside them.

"Nakikita namin na talagang tumataas siya [online scams] pag ganitong mga panahon. Nagsispike talaga. So, dapat ito ay pagtutulungan. Kailangan collaboration po tayo,” Samaniego said.

Samaniego said the initiative aims to effectively monitor and combat identity theft and other illegal online activities, particularly during the holiday season when people are most vulnerable.