The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) reported that 84 percent of Filipino adults encountered scams in 2026, up from 77 percent in 2025, with total losses estimated at ₱121.8 billion.
Most scam attempts occurred through text messages and direct messaging platforms, with one in three people who interacted with scammers suffering financial losses.
Victims lost an average of more than ₱10,400, while only slightly more than one in 10 successfully recovered their money.
The report also found that 38 percent of victims had been scammed more than once, while many experienced negative effects on their well-being, finances, and trust in digital platforms.
To address the growing threat, the government implemented the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, which penalizes various forms of financial fraud and empowers institutions to monitor suspicious transactions and temporarily hold disputed funds.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 9, 2026
