NOT EVEN THE enactment of laws primarily designed to prevent cybercrimes seemed enough to keep the country safe from modern-day con artists, says a report released by the Trans Union of the Philippines (TUP).
Citing Top Fraud Trends Report, the TUP categorically described the Philippines as “vulnerable” to cybercrime and digital fraud, for which country-based businesses and consumers have incurred staggering P4 trillion losses covering the first half of 2025.
“Fraud is no longer a peripheral risk but a systemic threat to business, consumers and the economy,” TUP chief commercial officer Yogesh Daware said in a statement.
“It also highlights the need for a stronger, bolder approach to identifying and preventing potentially fraudulent digital activity,” Daware added.
FRAUDULENT SCHEMES
He said that “first-party fraud” — where misrepresented identities or falsified information are used for financial gain— emerged as the leading cause of fraud loss in the country as reported by 25% of Philippines business leaders.
TUP surveyed 200 business leaders in the country.
“This is significantly higher than the global average of 16% and signals a distinct local vulnerability,” he said.
“Equally concerning is scam or authorized fraud, which was also reported by 25% of Filipino business leaders as the most prominent cause of fraud losses. These schemes trick individuals into willingly giving up something of value like sensitive information, account access or money, often through social engineering tactics,” he noted.
EXTREMELY WORRIED
According to Daware, 70 percent of the Filipino business leaders who took part in the study said they are “very or extremely concerned” about fraud’s impact on their business.
Under such circumstances, the Philippines ranked third in the list of countries classified as “most worried” globally across the six markets surveyed,
Topping the list is the United States with 89 percent. Not far behind is India which got 82 percent.
“Synthetic identity fraud, account takeover and third-party fraud remain prevalent with 19%, 17% and 13% of Filipino business leaders respectively reporting them as the most prominent cause of fraud losses, adding layers of complexity to an already challenging landscape,” he said.
A CONSUMER CRISIS
Interestingly, digital fraud isn’t limited to those who have much, even as Daware claimed that even the consumers are not spared by the cybercriminals.
“Fraud is not just a business problem, it is a consumer crisis.”
“Almost two-thirds or 65 percent of Filipino consumers reported being targeted by email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud attempts between February and May 2025, far above the global average of 48 percent” he noted.
“Among the Filipinos who claimed to have been targeted, the most common schemes they reported during the prescribed period were phishing (44.5%), money/gift card scams (40.4%), and smishing (39.7%).”
ANTICIPATE AND ADAPT
With a government predominantly preoccupied with other “more important matters,” businesses, consumers and even the so-called small fries are left clueless as to who is behind the digital fraud and how to recover what they have lost.
Daware said that “businesses need to anticipate, adapt, and act to protect trust at every stage of the consumer lifecycle and ensure that the digital economy remains an environment of opportunity and a platform for growth.”
Repeated efforts to get a reaction from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and Securities and Exchange Commission about TransUnion’s survey findings, proved futile.
NEW YEAR DIGITAL TIPS
Digital well-being has to do with the mental, emotional and physical health implications of interacting with digital devices and platforms and services, says a UN “Guide to Digital Wellbeing.” Here are some tips:
Social media users have control over the content they consume online, which could either become a source of stress or relaxation.
It’s (social media) already incorporated with our everyday life, so it’s better to know how to manage our stressors,” says psychologist Riyan Portuguez.
It is also important to remember that one has control over their social media experience, especially the time spent online — “Everybody has to remember that you can control how you experience being online. And you also are able to stop when you need to. You’re also able to take a break when you need to,” said Bea Bautista, TikTok Philippines communication head.
When building healthy digital habits, Bautista advised educating the public rather than restricting them from engaging online.
Portuguez agrees, pointing out that teaching individuals to regulate themselves when using social media also means empowering them.
RANKED 12TH GLOBALLY
According to the Digital 2026 Report, the Philippines ranked 12th globally in total internet users, with over 98 million individuals now online.
The report showed that Filipinos spend more than 20 hours weekly watching online videos, and over 80 percent use TikTok and YouTube, making the Philippines the top YouTube user globally.
While social media offers entertainment, learning, and connection, it also requires mindfulness to protect emotional and mental well-being, said Peachy Paderna, TikTok Philippines public policy manager.
“Digital balance is really all about having the liberty to enjoy creativity, learning, and connection online. But that also comes with the mindfulness that you need to have around your emotional and mental well-being,” Paderma said.
Portuguez, a digital wellness advocate, said that managing digital habits is crucial to preventing the negative mental health effects of being overwhelmed, especially by excessive online content.
STAYING GROUNDED
Portuguez says taking a pause to look into the mirror and doing positive self-affirmations helped her stay grounded.
Lifestyle content creator Belle Rodolfo said starting her day with a routine helps her get through her day. “I wake up, refresh myself, get dressed, have coffee, go to the gym. I have to hit those points, and I’m good to go for the day,” Rodolfo shared.
Bautista listens to classical music after work to help her decompress and let go of stress.
For Paderna, singing, rather than listening to music, helps her unwind. “I know I’m not okay when I stop listening to music or singing. So to ground myself, to remind myself that you have an option to feel okay, I just sing in the shower,” Paderma admitted.
DIGITAL WELL-BEING
The speakers shared tips on taking care of one’s digital well-being during TikTok’s launch of their Time and Well-being Page earlier this month.
TikTok has an affirmation journal, soothing sound, breathing exercises, and a time and well-being mission where users can use so they can keep a healthy digital habit.