Pangasinan man loses P230K in bank account due to voice phishing scam

About P230,000 deposit in a bank account in Pangasinan was allegedly lost through a voice phishing scam, GMA Regional TV's Cheny Falvancio reported in "Saksi" Tuesday.

It was in May 25, that a 58-year-old man from Mangaldan, Pangasinan received a call from an unregistered number and introduced himself as an agent of the bank.

He was told that his ATM is scheduled to be replaced. He was then instructed not to leave on June 5. He followed the instructions of the so-called agent.

However, nobody arrived on June 5. So he decided to check his account via ATM.

He was surprised to see that his bank account is empty.

It was too late when he checked his transaction records, he found out that there were withdrawals made from his account starting in May 29.

The first withdrawal was P70,000 then several more withdrawals were made until his account was emptied.

He lost a total of P230,000 from his bank account.

According to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime group, it is possible that he was a victim of voice phishing scam.

"Kaya nilang lituhin ang mga tinatawagan nila to the point na siguro na hindi niya na-realize na nabigay niya na 'yung personal information niya. Kasi nagpapanggap ng financial institution kagaya ng banks," said Police Major Franklin Lacana, PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group team leader.

(They can confuse the people they call to the point that they may not realize they have already given their personal information. Because they pretend to be financial institutions like banks.)

The money was taken through online bank transfer.

The victim is coordinating with PNP and his bank in the hopes that he can get his money back.

The police issued an advisory to consumers, to be wary of phone calls as these should be validated first, said Police Lt. Col. Perlito Tuayon, Mangaldan Police Station chief.

Do not give the OTP, secure private data, he added. — BAP, GMA News