Websites have become essential in daily economic
activities. We visit government websites to pay permits and contributions,
e-commerce websites for purchases and entertainment websites for subscriptions,
to name a few. Unfortunately, they have also become a favorite target of
scammers, fraudsters, and cyber-criminals.
To help users protect themselves online,
the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) and the
country’s leading mobile wallet GCash share vital information on how to distinguish legitimate websites
from fake ones used by scammers.
“The most obvious is to check the URL of
the website. A red flag is if the URL does not begin with “HTTPS”, where “S” at
the end stands for secure. The “S” indicates that the site uses a secure
sockets layer (SSL) certificate, which helps protect your information. Another
way this is shown on the latest version of web browsers is with the lock icon
in the web browser’s address bar. This is the visual way to indicate that the
website begins with “HTTPS,” advises PNP-ACG spokesperson Michelle Sabino.
GCash chief technology and operating
officer Pebbles Sy cites another
fundamental way to protect users. “Keep your web browser up-to-date all
the time. The latest versions of web browsers often include sophisticated
filters that warn you if a website is potentially unsafe. Also, consider using
browser extensions specifically designed to identify unsafe elements on
websites. These extensions can provide an additional layer of protection by
flagging any suspicious or potentially harmful content. They can help you make
informed decisions about whether to proceed with certain websites or not,” adds
Sy.
The PNP-ACG and GCash also advise
exercising caution against links sent via email or text messages. Another way
to tell fake sites from real ones is if the website is suspiciously different
from the home page of reputable websites. Malicious websites often try to
imitate legitimate websites but have inconsistencies or poor-quality design.
“The best way is to trust your instincts
and be skeptical if something doesn't feel right,” adds Sabino.
Reputable search engines can be used to
see relevant discussions or warnings from other users against a website. This
can provide valuable insights and help you make a more informed decision.
The PNP ACG has opened its hotlines at
(02) 8414-1560 or 0998-598-8116 or via email at acg@pnp.gov.ph. The law
enforcement agency encourages everyone to report incidents of scams, fraud, and
cybercrime.
Users can also visit the official GCash
Help Center at help.gcash.com or message Gigi on the website and type “I want
to report a scam.” Customers can also reach out to the official GCash hotline
at 2882 for inquiries and other concerns.
For more information, visit
www.gcash.com.ph.
