DICT to adopt Scam Watch Pilipinas model for scam awareness

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will adopt an existing anti-scam model by a national citizen arm to educate the public on scam activities.

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the present model operated by the Scam Watch Pilipinas will help build a framework to push awareness against scamming.

“Why reinvent the wheel? Let’s adopt it. If the program works, why shouldn’t we use it? It comes at no cost to the government, it benefits the public, and it is built on public-private partnership,” Aguda said in a statement.

The model is expected to promote awareness and provide proper tools to avoid scams.

"With the Anti-Scam Quad Model as our national education and awareness strategy, we can put the Philippines at the forefront of anti-scam education and awareness in Southeast Asia. We want Filipinos to be not only informed about scams but equipped with the right behavior and tools to prevent them,” said Aguda.

The Quad model by Scam Watch Pilipinas features a campaign that encourages the public to adopt certain behaviors when dealing with scammers. It also has a program that trains interested volunteers in bringing anti-scam awareness to schools and workplaces.

The model also pushes for collaboration among government agencies, law enforcement, and other concerned sectors. It also has a technology-enabled reporting system for scam incidents.

"Scam prevention should not stop at telling people what the latest scam is. We need to build the right behavior so Filipinos instinctively know what to do when confronted by suspicious messages, calls or offers," said Scam Watch Pilipinas co-founder Jocel de Guzman.

Scam Watch Pilipinas was institutionalized by the government in 2014 as the national citizen arm to educate the public against cyber fraud. — BAP, GMA News