Text messages are the scammer's favourite channel because they are cheap, instant and personal. In the Philippines, an industry survey by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance estimated that about 85% of scams in a recent year arrived by text, with average losses around ₱16,000 per victim. The good news: almost all of those messages share a handful of tells. Learn these seven and you will catch most of them before your thumb moves.
1. There's a link
This is the big one. Banks, e-wallets and telcos in the region now tell customers they do not send links by SMS, and the Philippine government's own anti-scam messaging boils down to treating any link in a text as a scam. Scammers can even inject messages into genuine-looking brand threads using illegal cell-site simulators, so a link appearing under “your bank” is still not safe. Open the official app directly instead.
2. It asks for a code, PIN or password
A one-time password (OTP) is the key to your account. No legitimate company will ever ask you to read, forward or type it anywhere outside its own app. “We sent you a code by mistake, please send it back” is a takeover attempt.
3. You won something you never entered
Raffle prizes, anniversary giveaways, “loyalty points about to expire” — they exist to get you to a form that collects your card. If you didn't enter, you didn't win.
4. The job pays too much for too little
“Earn ₱1,500–₱5,000 a day liking videos” is a task scam. Victims are paid small amounts at first, then asked to deposit money to unlock “premium tasks” that never pay out. Real employers don't recruit by random SMS.
5. A tiny fee stands between you and something you want
A ₱35 redelivery fee, a ₱49 customs charge, a processing fee to release a loan or prize. The amount is small so you don't think twice — the real goal is your card number and OTP.
6. Urgency, fear or authority
“Your account will be suspended today”, “final notice”, “warrant for your arrest”, “công an” (police) or tax-office threats. Urgency is designed to stop you from checking. Real institutions give you time and official channels.
7. The friendly stranger
“Hi, is this Mark? Sorry, wrong number 😊”. These openers start long-game romance and investment scams that can run for weeks before money is requested. The safest reply is none.
The 10-second routine
- Scan for a link or a code request. Either one: stop.
- Ask who benefits from speed. If the message wants you to act now, slow down.
- Verify out-of-band. Use the official app or the number printed on your card — never contact details from the message.
- Report and delete. PH: 1326 or eGov eReport. VN: 156. TW: 165.
What legitimate texts look like
- They come from a registered sender name, not a random 09 number.
- They confirm something you just did (a purchase, a top-up, a login).
- They tell you to use the official app or the number on your card.
- They never ask for OTPs, PINs or passwords.