MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, the Department of Transportation, and Scam Watch Pilipinas are reactivating “Oplan Bantay Lakbay: Undas 2024.”
It is an information drive that will run from October 30 to November 5, 2024.
The program will ensure a safe and efficient travel experience for all Filipinos and tourists traveling during the Undas season.
READ: Online scams during Undas
“While our fellow Filipinos are eager to visit the grave of our dearly departed, we sometimes also fall prey to online scammers through hotel and transportation bookings,” CICC Executive Director Alexander Ramos said.
DOTr Assistant Secretary Hector Villacotta said they expect Filipinos to take advantage of the long weekend due to All Souls’ and All Saints’ Days.
“We have made the necessary preparations and mobilized our people to assist travelers at all our travel access points nationwide,” Villacorta assured.
“We are adding the information drive to warn travelers against the different types of online scams,” he added.
Oplan Bantay Lakbay reminds the public to watch out for the following:
- Open and unsecured Wi-Fi networks
- Fake e-wallet apps
- Fake customer service
- Accommodation scams
- Too-Good-To-Be-True deals
- Fake travel agents
- Charity cons
- Counterfeit cash
- Hidden CCTVs
- Ticket fixers
Ramos reminded the public that CICC’s Inter-Agency Response Center (IARC) Hotline 1326 will operate 24/7 during Oplan Bantay Lakbay.
“We will respond to travelers’ and commuters’ needs against online scammers…,” he stated.
“…They can also call 1326 for any travel concerns aside from cyber fraud. Our response team from CICC is closely coordinating with their counterparts from DOTr.”
Scam Watch Pilipinas Co-Founder Jocel de Guzman added that Filipinos may use the eGov Super App and the Whoscall app for reports.