As an OFW, you work hard and make many sacrifices to secure your family’s future. Imagine losing all your savings overnight because of online scams.

Scammers prey on common OFW dreams like securing a stable job, growing savings, or finding friends or love while you’re alone and away from home.

Protect yourself now. Learn how to avoid being scammed online. Find out what red flags to watch out for, and how to check if an opportunity is legitimate.

Though you may already have a job now, it’s natural to look for better opportunities, especially if you have a limited contract. Scammers invite you to apply for a position but ask you to pay fees or provide your bank details before the interview.

However, legitimate employers only ask for your personal information after you’re hired. They often deduct security deposits and other fees from your salary, instead of asking for it upfront.

How to protect yourself: When job seeking, look for companies that are vetted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). You can use its official job matching site, PhilJobNet. It accredits companies before they can recruit.

Scammers often promise high returns and low risks. They may pressure you to grab a limited offer or dazzle you with stories of people who doubled their money. However, they evade questions about how the investment works.

Legitimate investment companies will explain potential returns and risks. They’ll present documents and encourage you to research or ask questions.

How to protect yourself: Always check the company or agent’s licenses or accreditation. You can use these websites:

• For mutual funds: Check the list of PIFA (Philippine Investment Funds Association) members.
• For securities: Run the company name through the Security and Exchange Commission’s CheckwithSEC.
• For real estate: Check if the agent is licensed by the Philippine Regulation Commission. Also, make sure the land title is authentic, clear of legal liabilities, and sold by the rightful owner. Visit your local Registry of Deeds to verify.

Understanding the basics of investing and other wealth-building tools can help you identify potential scams. When you know how legitimate businesses work, it’s easier to recognize red flags. Here are some ways to boost your financial literacy skills.

Thinking of investing in businesses to create income after coming home? Make sure you’re not putting your money in a pyramid scam.

Here’s how they work. You pay to join and then recruit others to do the same. You then earn money from “commissions” based on the people in your network.

Pyramid scams fail because the business isn’t focused on selling a product or service—most money comes from recruitment fees, which are funneled to the top. Most people who are at lower levels won’t earn anything.

How to protect yourself: Before investing in any business or side hustle, look for red flags like promises of high income with little effort, focus on recruiting rather than selling a real product, and upfront fees.

Many pyramid scammers create elaborate websites with fake testimonials to make you believe in their legitimacy. Look for independent online reviews and verify if the company is registered in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Phishing scams try to steal your personal or financial information. They send emails and direct messages that urge you to click on a link that leads to a fake website. They may also send an SMS (read more about common mobile scams.)

Phishers often use these scam methods:

• Posing as a bank or credit card: They trick you to change your password because “your account has been compromised” or say you’ve been pre-qualified for a card or loan.
• Sending a fake invoice: They urge you to pay for something you didn’t buy.
• Stealing the email address of someone you know: They ask you to view a document, which then takes you to a login page that looks like Gmail.
• Promising a free upgrade or prize: They entice you to claim a reward or sign up for an exclusive offer.

How to protect yourself: Watch for spelling errors, strange URLs, or unexpected messages from people who won't normally contact you.

Banks and credit card companies will never ask for your account information or passwords. If you receive a suspicious “offer”, contact your provider’s customer hotline to verify the information or report the caller.

Report spam messages! Fill up Globe’s #StopSpam form and help prevent scams from spreading.

When you’re far away from home, social media is a vital lifeline for keeping in touch with family or making new friends.

However, be cautious of people you only met online. Scammers can create fake identities to establish relationships and eventually ask for personal details or money. They may also hack accounts of family members and ask for help for an “emergency.”

How to protect yourself: Verify the identities of people you meet online. Try doing a reverse image search on their profile photos to check if they appear elsewhere with different names. Be wary of new social media accounts with few interactions or personal posts.

If a friend or relative suddenly messages you for money, personally call to find out more.

Scammers can trick you into thinking you're buying from a legit seller, either through a fake website or a fake ad on a real site. They use slick designs, stolen logos, and similar domain names to mimic genuine retailers. They often offer luxury items at very low prices. If you receive anything at all, it’s usually a knockoff.

How to protect yourself: Don’t trust a site just because it’s advertised or shared on social media. Check the domain name and look for real customer reviews. Compare prices and be suspicious of anything that’s too cheap.

Use payment methods that offer buyer protection. Credit cards can let you question a purchase or freeze access if there’s fraudulent activity. GCash has GInsure which gives up to ₱20,000 coverage.

Always check if payment pages are secure. The web address should start with “https” and the browser window should have a closed padlock symbol.

You can protect yourself from online scams. Watch out for red flags, protect your personal and financial information, and choose secure forms of online payment. You can also get more tips on internet safety and steps to boost your digital literacy.