Filipinos lost P280.5 billion to scammers in a year

Filipinos lost an estimated P280.5 billion to scammers in a 12-month period, highlighting a significant national threat.

A report by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) revealed that 77 percent of Filipinos encountered scam attempts, averaging one nearly every two days.

Sixty-five percent of respondents admitted to falling victim to scams, with an average of 2.3 incidents per victim.

Monetary losses were significant, with 31 percent of adults reporting an average loss of P11,896 each.

Digital wallets were the most common method used by scammers to siphon funds, accounting for 74 percent of losses.

The pervasive nature of scams affects household stability, leading people to cut back on daily needs and suffer emotional distress.