Carlos Tengkiat, the Chief Information Security Officer of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), has issued a stark warning to Filipino consumers about the rising threat of chatbot scams in the Philippines. The bank aims to empower citizens with information and enhance their vigilance and online safety in the face of these deceptive tactics.
Chatbot scams are on the rise, and Tengkiat stressed that scammers have become increasingly adept at impersonating legitimate companies through chatbots, luring unsuspecting victims with enticing yet implausible offers, including high-paying jobs, get-rich-quick investment schemes, and free gifts.
The modus operandi of these scammers often involves mimicking reputable organizations, such as banks, government agencies, or eCommerce platforms, while adopting the identities of real individuals and organizations to deceive their victims.
These scams typically start with pop-up messages or links sent via email or text messages. The chatbots employed in these scams are designed to appear remarkably human-like, eliminating misspellings and grammatical errors, thus making it challenging to discern their true nature. Their primary objective is to gain the trust of their targets through engaging conversations, ultimately coaxing personal and financial information out of them.
Tengkiat cautioned that these scammers frequently request sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or bank account details. He emphasized, “Never disclose such information to someone you don’t know and trust.”
One common tactic utilized by scammers is to create a sense of urgency, often claiming that the victim’s account has been compromised. Such warnings pressure individuals into making quick decisions to seize a supposed opportunity or avoid account blockages. Tengkiat’s advice to consumers is to remain calm, resist hasty decisions, and conduct thorough research before taking any action.
Tengkiat also highlighted the importance of verifying the authenticity of chatbots and the organizations they claim to represent. He recommended checking if they originate from legitimate websites or social media pages and whether they provide contact information.
But how can you spot a chatbot in a conversation?
First, chatbots respond faster than humans, usually within a few seconds, as they do not need to think before typing their responses.
Second, they rarely make spelling mistakes or grammatical errors since they rely on programmed or templated responses that have been proofread.
Third, chatbots often provide vague responses when faced with questions or statements they cannot analyze effectively, resulting in coherent but irrelevant answers.
While chatbots are a valuable tool for many businesses in providing immediate customer support, they have also become a weapon of choice for scammers to target potential victims. Tengkiat advised, “If you’re unsure about the authenticity of a chatbot, it’s best to exercise caution and not engage with it at all. Contact the organization directly to validate its identity.”
Additional precautions include never sharing PINs or One-Time Passwords (OTPs), exercising caution when clicking on links, opening attachments, or scanning QR codes, and using strong passwords that are regularly changed.
In the unfortunate event that someone falls victim to a chatbot-related scam, Tengkiat strongly recommends contacting their bank or financial institution immediately. This prompt action can help block unauthorized transactions and secure the victim’s account.
“Changing your passwords for all your online accounts is crucial to protect against further attacks. Be vigilant about sharing your information and the websites you visit,” according to Tengkiat. He also advised utilizing security features like recovery phone numbers or email addresses for email and social media accounts to aid in account recovery.
RCBC remains dedicated to safeguarding Filipino consumers in their online interactions and encourages a proactive approach to combat chatbot-related scams. The bank aims to provide users with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the digital landscape securely.