6 Tips to be Smarter than a Scammer

For the banking public, the importance of online banking is more pronounced in today's social distancing-mandated reality. With all the convenience of banking from home, however, we need to be also aware of the lurking online adversary—scammers who lure their victims to fake websites, steal their bank information and then eventually their money. 

Here are six tips to outwit these scammers and avoid being a victim of their fake websites:

1.     Be wary of messages from a “concerned client”

There is a text message currently circulating that reads like this:

BEWARE

I just received a call from BDO. For those who are using BDO for online transactions, please DO NOT DO IT FROM YOUR PHONE or APP. Do it from your desktop or laptop. I am no techie but they said that there is a malware that is affecting such transactions. This is also the reason why BDO was inaccessible most of the time yesterday. Be careful pls.

This is fake and could be a ploy to drive away clients from using the bank’s mobile banking facility (especially from the BDO Mobile app) to a channel where scammers can better exploit their would-be victims and lure them to fake websites through the latter’s personal computer. Banks never call its clients to advise them on what to use or not to use. To be sure, check with the bank first for any official advisory and announcement, and refrain from sharing unverified news you have received via email or text.

2.     Never click on links

You could also receive an email that reads like this:

Dear valued client,

Greetings from BDO Online Banking.

Please be advised that we will deactivate the access of your account/s in BDO Online Banking if we don't hear any actions from you.

It's usually pretty easy to take care of things like this. Most of the time, we just need a little more information about your account or latest transactions. You can verify your account at https://online.bdo.com.ph/

These communication channels are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Thank you for banking online with us!

The BDO Online Banking Team

Important: Please save this message for future reference

This is fake. Banks will never send you an email asking you to log-in through an embedded link. If ever you received such an email, do not click on that link. It will lead you to a fake website where your personal information will be stolen.

3.     Never enter your login details

If ever you do click on that link, don't enter your login details such as username and password. If clicking on the link is essentially opening your door to scammers, logging in is akin to putting one foot through that door by sharing your personal banking information with them.

4.     Never share your OTP

Now is not the time to share. Your login details and One-Time PIN (OTP) are yours and yours alone. Once you logged in your username and password, you will receive an OTP from your bank as its final security measure. Do not share this OTP to anyone else, especially to the scammers through their fake websites. If you do, this is essentially putting both feet through that door. This is a bad, bad move.

5.     When in doubt, hover

All emails asking you to click on links are scam attacks—even if it includes the spelled out BDO website as a hyperlink. To double check, hover your cursor on the weblink without clicking on it. A preview will reveal that it leads to a different site and not www.bdo.com.ph.

6.     When in doubt, ask

If you are unsure of what to do, you can visit BDO Unibank on Facebook for official advisories and reminders. If you suspect that you have been scammed, you can get in touch with BDO by logging in Messenger and looking for BDO Customer Care with the blue verified checkmark from Facebook.

Comedy Creator Richo Bautista’s Neighborhood Characters Bring Joy to Your TikTok Feeds

Richo Bautista was always known among his peers as a funny guy, but he never imagined that his upbeat personality and creativity would make him TikTok Famous. “Ako po ay simpleng tao lang. Makulit, palabiro sa mga co-teachers ko,” Richo says, when asked to share a little bit about himself. “Teacher ako sa high school, sa public school. Jolly ako. Provider sa family.”

His claim to fame is his Kapitbahay Serye (Neighborhood Stories), which he developed together with his niece. The series features three original characters –  Nanay (Mother), her daughter, Felisa, and their two-faced neighbor, Aling Nena.

 “So, itong pamangkin ko nakita nya na may TikTok ako. Sabi ko, “ TikTok tayo.” Sabi nya, “Sige.”

Kaya noong February, pati ng March, gumawa kami ng video, yung Kapitbahay Serye. Nagulat kami na pumatok naman. Yung kauna-unahang ginawa namin yung nanghiram ng tabla saka palanggana, tapos dun ginamit niyang phrase, “kung sino pa yung nanghiram, siya pa yung medyo maldita. Natuwa kami kasi pumatok siya.”

[It all started when my nephew noticed that I have TikTok and I asked him to film me, and he said, okay. Back in February and March, we are already doing the Neighbourhood Series. I was surprised that it went viral. Our first video is about the neighbour who doesn’t know how to return the things she borrowed. Many can relate and it was an instant hit.]

After the successful response to his first Kapitbahay Serye post, Richo was encouraged to create more videos, this time featuring his characters in funny situations around the house. He also came up with a Quarantine Series and a Nanay vs. Anak (Mother vs. Daughter) Series.

https://www.tiktok.com/@richobautista/video/6817709435536854274

What makes Richo’s TikTok videos even more entertaining and humorous is the fact that he portrays every character himself. With just a wig and a change of clothing, Richo effortlessly transforms into the different personas onscreen. His experience in theater during his college days helped him develop these characters, as well as play them. 

Netizens have definitely enjoyed Richo’s one-man productions, and you can see this in how quickly his following and engagement have grown. As of April 2020, he already has 333.8K followers on TikTok. He was also recently featured on two popular TV programs, which came as a surprise to the comedy creator. He says, “Nakakatuwa. Nakakataba ng puso kasi hindi nga ako sure sa ginagawa ko eh. Parang wala lang. Nagulat nalang ako nakita ako sa Rated K pati sa [Kapuso Mo] Jessica Soho.” 

[Translation: It is indeed heartwarming that I get recognized and appreciated because to be honest ,at first, I wasn’t sure what I was doing. I only made these videos for fun. Then one day, I’m on Rated K and Jessica Soho.]

In these uncertain times, Richo Bautista has been able to spread joy through TikTok. He continues to receive encouraging feedback from many of his followers, including his students. “Sabi nila, nag-quarantine lang, artista ka na. Nakakasama ka lang namin sa school, nag-le-lesson tapos nakita ka na namin sa TV. Yung iba naiiyak, natutuwa, nagchachat sa akin. Sabi ko, tyaga lang talaga. Niloloko ko sila, sinasabi ko, hayaan nyo pag sumikat ako, kukunin ko kayong P.A.”

[Translation: My students said, over the quarantine, I already became famous. Before, we could only see you in the classroom, now we’re actually watching you on TV. Some are emotional and happy. I told them, it is patience and hard work. It has become an inside joke between me and my students, if I make it big and become a celebrity, you’ll all be my personal assistant.”

When asked what he wants to be known for, Richo says he wants people to see him as a simple man who creates videos that are wholesome yet memorable. That, and for Aling Nena’s famous line, “Walang ganun, mars!”

Follow Richo Bautista and other amazing comedy creators on TikTok today. Simply download the app on your  iOSand Android devices to get started. 

The Dawn's Jett Pangan revives 'Salamat' for special heartwarming video

Jett Pangan found himself singing a familiar song in unfamiliar territory when he had to revive “Salamat” in a tribute video reflecting meaningful connections in the time of COVID-19.

Produced by Smart Communications, The Dawn’s frontman traded the original rock arrangement of the song for a subdued yet moving version of the late ’80s classic.

Jett said singing “Salamat” during this difficult time was at the very least emotional and reminded him of life’s simple constants. “Recording ‘Salamat’ in this context was a lot more emotional. It reminded me of just how important it is to feel support from family and friends in a very trying time even if we’re apart.”

He added, “There was a sense of comfort knowing that even if I’m physically limited to do ‘normal’ things because of the quarantine, I’m still able to take part in sharing a song that can help inspire people to hang in there and look forward to the day that we can go on with our lives without fear.”

Meaningful connections made simple

The video talks about simple connections that truly matter. This part of technology has been available to us even before ECQ time but we tend to appreciate it more now as we rely more on the internet to reach out to our loved ones and friends.

Aware of the limitations of the current situation, Jett shared, “People seem to view the song as a shout-out to one another, at a time when we can't hug or even shake hands but nevertheless try to unite in stopping the spread of the virus.”

The singer and stage actor also recalled the first time he recorded “Salamat.” “The main guitar chords within ‘Salamat’ were inspired by another song of The Dawn called ‘I Stand With You.’ It’s a case of one song giving birth to another. When we (The Dawn) created this song, we wanted it to express hope in any situation. Thus, the original lyrics went: ‘Sa lungkot at kaligayahan/Tunay na kaibigan, kasamang maasahan.”

He also recalled that The Dawn intended for the song to serve a bigger purpose: “We hoped it would truly inspire people. Me and my bandmates in The Dawn enjoy creating songs that offer a glimmer of hope because it inspires us to go on living as well.”

Connected even when apart

For Smart, the network has been solidifying its commitment to keep people connected at a time when keeping in touch matters most.

“It is during these uncertain times that we strengthen our commitment to bring Filipinos together through digital technology,” said PLDT-Smart Chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan.

The video, MVP added, also touches on a critical position to be of service during these uncertain times. “’Salamat’ reflects our sense of gratitude for being in this crucial position to serve and enable Filipinos to make the most meaningful connections despite many challenges.”

Here’s the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqoGev6cgnY&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2z7aoyL5yAzyViDrG79HMewtsoa3_xkHrJ2nSBStqdUV62X4qHn1xeWqE.

Coinciding with the launch of the video, the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) and Smart introduced a Text-to-Donate drive for COVID-19 frontliners that enables Smart, TNT, and Sun customers to contribute using their prepaid load or donations charged to their postpaid account.  Aside from health workers and other frontliners, the target beneficiaries include communities hard-hit by the public health emergency.

This Text-to-Donate platform makes it so much easier for millions of its customers across the Philippines to unite for a good cause and contribute in their own little way – just by sending a simple text message. To donate, Smart, TNT, and Sun subscribers simply have to textDONATE<Space><Amount> and send to 3456.

Subscribers may donate in the amounts of 10; 25; 50; 100; and 500.  For example, customers who want to send Php10 may just text DONATE<Space> 10 and send to 3456. The donation drive will run from April 22 to July 16, 2020.

Follow Smart Communications on Facebook and @livesmart on Instagram and Twitter for more details. [END]

PLDT-Smart Foundation donates over 50,000 face masks and various PPE for frontline health workers

Health workers at the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 in Metro Manila have received fresh support in the form of face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPEs).

The PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) has turned over 50,000 face masks and other PPEs to various hospitals in the Metro. 

The Philippine General Hospital, which is one of the COVID referral hospitals in the country, received 20,000 surgical masks for their frontline health workers from PLDT and PSF.   

Several hospitals and government response teams also received 50 hazmat suits each from PSF with the assistance of the Makati Medical Center Foundation. This includes the Rizal Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center, Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

ZTE Corporation turns over 10,000 surgical face masks to PSF to be distributed to hospitals in Metro Manila.

“We are one with our frontline health workers in fighting this pandemic. All our efforts are focused on equipping them with the resources they need to protect and nourish them as they combat this virus,” said PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos. 

As part of this effort, ZTE Corporation recently turned over 10,000 surgical face masks to PSF to be distributed to hospitals in Metro Manila for the country’s frontline health workers. 

Moreover, St. Arnold Janssen Kalinga, a missionary center that provides care for homeless individuals in Metro Manila, was a recipient of reusable masks and sacks of rice from the foundation. 

Frontline checkpoint officers from the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines were also provided with reusable face masks and Ascorbic Acid from PSF. 

To know more about the efforts of the PLDT Group in beating the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit https://beta.pldt.com/covid19/. 

El Pollo Loco is now open for takeout and curbside pick-up

During this difficult time, The Bistro Group remains committed to provide good food in the comfort of your homes.

El Pollo Loco is now open for takeout and curbside pick-up from 10am to 5pm!
Bring home with you the Flame Grilled Mexican chicken sides and salsa youve missed. Stay safe , we'll be seeing you from one meter away.

Call ahead for your takeout and curbside orders:
Inside Italianni’s Bonifacio High Street
8856-3890 | 0935-860-4544

TikTok introduces Family Pairing

Today, TikTok is advancing our commitment to building for the safety of users by introducing Family Pairing, which allows parents and teens to customize their safety settings based on individual needs. Family Pairing enhances TikTok's suite of safety tools and complements our work to provide greater access to product features as users reach key milestones for digital literacy. It is part of the company's continued work toward providing parents better ability to guide their teen's online experience while allowing time to educate about online safety and digital citizenship.

More than ever, families are turning to internet platforms like TikTok to stay entertained, informed, and connected. That was, of course, happening before COVID-19, but it has only accelerated since the outbreak began and social distancing brought families closer together. The embrace of platforms like TikTok is providing families with joint tools to express their creativity, share their stories, and show support for their communities. At the same time, they are often learning to navigate the digital landscape together and focused on ensuring a safe experience.

With families in mind, TikTok has taken a number of steps over the past year to improve and enhance our teams, policies, controls, and educational resources. TikTok has made its policies more transparent and accessible, grown trust and safety teams, built upon the resources in Safety Center.

Many users start their creator journey at 13 and are introduced to a wider array of app options for download, making it a critical time for teens and their families to learn about digital literacy and smart online behavior. In addition to Family Pairing, TikTok already offers a number of resources to support users on this journey, including educational safety videos and parental guides like Top Ten Tips for Parents. 

TikTok also encourages parents to talk with their teens about the code of conduct outlined in Community Guidelinesto help them understand what responsible community behavior looks like, how to identify and report content that may be in violation, and what it means to be positive digital community members.

Family Pairing, which will be rolling out over the coming weeks, will allow a parent to link their TikTok account to their teen's and set controls including:

●      Screen Time Management: Control how long your teen can spend on TikTok each day. In addition, TikTok has partnered with top creators to make short videos that appear right in the app and encourage users to keep tabs on their screen time. These fun videos use the upbeat tone users love while offering a suggestion to take a break and do something offline, like read a book.

●      Restricted Mode: Restrict the appearance of content that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Even without Family Pairing enabled, parents can help their teen set Screen Time Management and Restricted Mode by visiting the app's Digital Wellbeing controls at any time.

●      Direct Messages: Limit who can send messages to the connected account, or turn off direct messaging completely. With user safety in mind, TikTok has many policies and controls in place for messaging already – for example, approved followers can message each other, and images or videos are not allowed to be sent in messages. Starting April 30, TikTok will be taking those protections one step further as relates to younger members of the community, and automatically disabling Direct Messages for registered accounts under the age of 16.

“TikTok is committed to giving parents insight into, and control over, how their teens use TikTok and helping facilitate important conversations within families about the responsible navigation of digital platforms. We believe these options promote a safer and more trustworthy experience for our users of all ages, but our progress in this area is also never finished. We look forward to working with all our stakeholders as we continuously seek to improve through new features and resources to help our community manage their digital experience,” said TikTok Head Public Policy for the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia Donny Eryastha.