As the annual holiday rush gets underway ahead of Undas, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is stepping up its efforts to protect the public from deceptive online schemes. Authorities are warning Filipinos to remain vigilant against scammers who exploit the heightened travel season by posting bogus advisories and fraudulent messages.
During times of mass movement — like the pre-Undas exodus — the PNP notes that unscrupulous actors often impersonate government agencies, release fake travel alerts, or lure travellers with false promises relating to transport, road conditions, or safety checkpoints. These scams aim to sow panic or trick people into sharing personal information or making payments.
To counter this, the PNP advises:
- Verify any advisory you receive by checking official channels or directly contacting the agency involved.
- Be cautious of urgent-sounding messages asking you to act fast, share sensitive data, or pay fees — especially if they arrive via social media or unsolicited text.
- Report suspicious posts, calls or messages to the PNP’s cybercrime or fraud hotlines so that they can investigate and shut down abusive networks.
With the convergence of holiday travel and online vulnerability, the PNP is urging everyone to double-check communications, remain calm, and ensure any official advice comes from trusted sources before acting.