World Vision partners with ComCo through the "Cause Marketing for Good" campaign

Global development and advocacy organization World Vision and regional integrated communications agency ComCo Southeast Asia through its Citizen ComCo initiative continue their mission of giving companies and brands opportunities to give back, this time with a focus on supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the Cause Marketing for Good Virtual Conference.

 

Created and organized by World Vision and ComCo Southeast Asia, the Cause Marketing for Good Virtual Conference is part of the organization’s larger initiative to orient MSMEs on the value of cause-related marketing or CRM, which is especially relevant in today’s pandemic environment, and to equip them on how to champion social issues through their marketing efforts.

From top left) World Vision Donor Education Specialist Caroline Veronilla, ComCo Southeast Asia Regional Integration & Chief Executive Director Ferdinand Bondoy, Lazada Strategic Partnerships Senior Associate Yshana Wong, AirAsia Head of Branding and Creatives David Viray, World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes, World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte and IdeasXMachina Group Of Hakuhodo CEO Third Domingo

 

Happening on July 21, 2 p.m., the online conference will include sessions on defining CRM, CRM’s impact on sales from AirAsia, and how to use e-commerce to forward your cause from Lazada. There will also be a panel discussion on how to create effective CRM campaigns featuring experts and practitioners of the field such as ComCo Southeast Asia for public relations and Ideas X Machina for creatives.

The ongoing pandemic has had a massive effect on the economy, with MSMEs taking the brunt of this as they make up 99.5% of business establishments in the Philippines and employ 62.4% of the country’s workforce according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. MSMEs are currently facing huge hurdles to keep their businesses afloat, especially in the face of quarantine regulations and economic slowdown.

But with the challenge brought about by the pandemic comes bayanihan spirit – the value of Filipino community as they work together towards a common goal. This has urged individuals, communities, organizations, and even brands and companies, to band together and help each other during this crisis. It has also shown us how Filipino consumers, especially millennials and Gen Zers, are responding positively to brands and companies who support advocacies and stand for causes and values that they believe in.

According to the Global Millennial Survey 2021 by professional services firm Deloitte, millennials and Gen Zers are concerned about the positive impact of businesses on society. These generations of consumers tend to make decisions aligned with their values, with more than a quarter of respondents saying that businesses’ impact on the environment influence their buying decisions, expecting brands to be aligned with their personal values before they invest in their products or services.

In the eyes of consumers, businesses can and have the responsibility to do good – and doing good actually makes for good business. Through the Cause Marketing for Good Campaign and Virtual Conference, World Vision and ComCo Southeast Asia look forward to helping more MSMEs build strong connections with their customers through effective and sustainable cause-related marketing campaigns – ones that allow them to sell while also creating a positive social impact in the Philippines.

Participants may register for the Cause Marketing for Good Virtual Conference at wvph.co/CauseMarketingForGood.

To know more about World Vision and ComCo Southeast Asia’s partnership, visit www.worldvision.org.ph or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter. For more information on World Vision Philippines and its other initiatives, call the World Vision hotline number at 8372-77-77 or Ms. Wichelle Cruz of Private Sector Partnerships Manager at 0917-511-6640.

Check out Local Mommy Bloggers helpful tips, go-to recipes, and product recos available on Shopee

One of the trickier aspects of parenting is preparing meals, and now that the whole family spends more time at home, the task has become even more challenging for moms. Finding the time to come up with recipes that are both balanced and yummy can pose quite the dilemma for busy moms—plus, kids can be finicky.

 

Need inspo for coming up with easy, nutritious, and kid-approved meals? Check out mommy bloggers Michelle Estranero, Lhyzie Bongon, and Kaye Figuracion’s helpful tips, go-to recipes, and product recos available on Shopee, just in time for Nutrition Month. Instead of ordering takeout for dinner tonight, try whipping up these easy recipes with your kids so you can get them to enjoy balanced, home cooked food!

 

 

Michelle Estranero of Rockstarmomma 

 

Michelle Estranero, the woman behind lifestyle blog Rockstarmomma, is also a working mother of two. As a parent who juggles creating content, working, housekeeping, and taking care of her toddler and teenager, Michelle relies on two key tips to make healthy cooking easier. “First, stock up on nutrition-packed foods that will stay fresh for a week or longer. Then limit purchases of tempting foods like chips, cookies, sodas, and ice cream. They are high in empty calories and run up your grocery bill,” she shares.

 

Michelle’s no-fail recipe is no-bake baked mac and cheese. Busy moms will find this quick and easy to make. Throw in a few healthy modifications, such as substituting hotdogs with chicken sausage, using organic whole wheat elbow macaroni, or going for lactose-free cheese, and you’re good to go.

 

Here are Michelle’s product recommendations for this recipe: 

 

Luminarc Vitro Blooming Casserole

3-in-1 Folding Chopping Board

Kitchen Knife Set

 

 

Lhyzie Bongon of Life With Lhyzie

Every day, single mom Lhyzie Bongon of Life with Lhyzie prepares meals for her seven-year-old daughter and their extended family. Since she cooks for such a huge household, one of Lhyzie’s priorities is to ensure that every dietary requirement is accommodated, especially during the pandemic. “Food intake depends on how you live and how it affects your current health status. My fellow moms can create a foundation for a healthy lifestyle by choosing organic vegetables and fruits and avoiding processed foods and artificial ingredients.”

 

Lhyzie’s signature healthy recipe is her chicken and sotanghon soup. It comes packed with protein thanks to the chicken breast, contains plenty of vegetables, and soothes the soul on rainy days.

 

Here are Lhyzie’s product recommendations for this recipe:

 

Relish Vermicelli Premium Sotanghon

Knorr Chicken Broth Cube

Masflex Induction Casserole

 

Kaye Figuracion of K Figuracion

Aside from parenting an eleven-year-old and a two-year-old, Kaye Figuracion has her hands full with homemaking, running the family business, and creating content for her blog, K Figuracion. With such a packed daily schedule, Kaye admits that meal prep can be tough. To elevate her dishes, she looks for inspiration. “I watch Youtube tutorials so I have a variety of meals to serve. I just tweak recipes based on our children’s preferences. I also joined an online mom group that shares healthy cooking ideas, techniques, and ingredients to make veggie dishes more delectable for kids.”

 

Kaye’s Pan-Fried Cheesy Salmon is popular among her kids for its rich, flavorful taste. Even better, it contains plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids and protein! For a healthier option, you can lessen the cheese, depending on your children’s preferences and nutritional needs. 

 

Here are Kaye’s product recommendations for this recipe: 

 

Happy Call Non-stick Frying Pan

Microwave Oven 

DeliGood Norwegian Salmon Fillet 

 

Online shopping tips for moms

 

Like plenty of Filipino moms, Michelle, Lhyzie, and Kaye shop online for groceries, depending on Shopee’s convenience, safety, variety, and rewards. To maximize the experience, Michelle advises other moms, “Join the Shopee Mom’s Club to enjoy free shipping vouchers monthly and exclusive brand vouchers for everyday essentials. You can also connect and learn from other moms via the Shopee Moms Viber Community.”

 

Meanwhile, Lhyzie weighs each product carefully in the balance before making a decision. “Keep an eye on all product offerings. Visit Shopee Mall for more deals, and make sure to compare brands, prices, and functions. Don’t forget to check the reviews and comments!” 

 

For Kaye, it’s important to maximize the app’s features. “I usually go straight to the sale, flash deals, or cashback tabs to find the best deals of the day. I also follow my favorite stores and turn on notifications to get first dibs on promos and new arrivals.”

 

To discover the best deals on groceries and more, visit https://shopee.ph/. Top up your ShopeePay wallet through your debit card and other convenient channels to enjoy more exclusive deals such as free shipping with a minimum spend of ₱199, 15% daily cashback, ₱1 Deals, ₱10 worth of data for only ₱1, and up to 35% cashback on Bills Payment. To get an extra 20% cashback, use Scan and Pay for cash-on-delivery orders with your Shopee Xpress rider.

 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

 

One of Airbnb’s most popular unique stays is the Domescape glamping dome house in Nasugbu, Batangas

Airbnb’s 2021 Release showed that travelers are booking unique abodes including cabins, tiny homes, and treehouses to break up the monotony of the past year spent in lockdown. Nearly 70 percent of respondents to a recent Airbnb survey indicated they want to be able to filter for unique stays when searching for trip accommodation.

 

According to latest Airbnb data, searches for unique stays have increased by 94 percent in 2021 compared to the same time period in 2019, and 55 percent of Airbnb's 100 most wishlisted homes in the last year fall into unique categories.* Notably, searches for certain types of unique homes have exploded by over 10x compared to just two years ago. Searches for yurts have spiked by approximately 1700%, while searches for earth houses and barns have increased 1,285% and 1,068% respectively. 

 

In the Philippines, Hosts have earned over P24 million welcoming guests into their unique homes since the start of the pandemic. “Many of our unique stays in the Philippines are tucked away in the outskirts of large cities, within driving distance from the metro,” shared Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. “Uncovering these one-of-a-kind stays is now a whole lot easier with our new Flexible Destinations feature, which helps guests discover incredible properties in places they may not have thought to search for. Guests can simply enter the dates they want to travel or search with flexible dates, for instance, a weekend, week or an entire month, to search and book their unique stays.”

 

One of Airbnb’s most popular unique stays is the Domescape glamping dome house in Nasugbu, Batangas. The Domescape is the first of its kind in the Philippines -- an intricately designed geodesic dome perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Located in Barangay Tumalim, a quiet neighborhood adjacent to a large river, the Domescape is tastefully styled with modern wood furniture and plush white beddings. It also comes complete with luxury amenities that allow guests to immerse in nature in full comfort, including an air conditioner, mini-fridge, kettle, microwave oven, and humidifier. Guests can spend the night stargazing from inside the dome, as well as enjoy private access to a natural swimming pool!

 

The dome is equipped with all the essentials you need for an ideal nature getaway

 

“Domescape was born out of our love for adventure and family,” shares Host Triccia Serafica. “It was on a family road trip in 2018 when we thought of having a second home tucked away somewhere remote, and away from our place in the city. We wanted to combine the rejuvenating experience you feel when you’re close to nature with the luxury you get when you stay in upscale accommodation.”

 

After the completion of the Domescape that same year, Triccia and her family began to invite friends over to stay. The following year, they began hosting on Airbnb and found great joy in sharing their second home with travelers who want to immerse in the great outdoors while spending quality time with their loved ones.

 

“With Domescape, we have witnessed several beautiful celebrations with our guests,” added Tricia. “Whether a marriage proposal, surprise birthday celebrations, and even pre-wedding photoshoots - we always look forward to these celebrations and are beyond happy to be a part of the moment. Hosting has allowed us to meet people from all walks of life - we’ve even hosted celebrities for their pre-wedding shoot, not to mention numerous shoots for magazines and music videos!” 

 

               Awake to picturesque views of lush greenery outside the dome   

Spend the afternoon dipping in this sustainable outdoor swimming pool

 

For those interested in hosting with Airbnb and opening their unique homes to guests, Airbnb’s new platform upgrades have made it easier for anyone who wants to host. Find out more about how you can become an Airbnb Host here: https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes. 

 

*Based on Airbnb internal data of unique stay searches as of April 30, 2021.

5 Facts and Fallacies on Vaccines

Vaccines have been around for a while, but an age-old debate has resurfaced along with the availability of those that address COVID-19. Are they safe and effective?

 

AXA, one of the Philippines’ leading insurance providers, takes a closer look at the myths and misconceptions, as well as the hard facts, which can help you decide if vaccines, indeed, do the job they’re intended for.

 

Myth 1: Vaccines can make a person sick.

Fact: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you can’t get sick when administered with a vaccine. However, some people can experience mild side effects, such as soreness on the part of the body where the vaccine was injected. Such side effects disappear quickly, and more serious side effects are not common.

 

Myth 2: Vaccines can cause the very disease it aims to address.

Fact: It is unlikely that a vaccine can cause a disease to develop, but certain individuals may not reach the needed immunity level from the vaccine to fight the disease. Like most medicines, some vaccines aren’t 100% effective and people react to it differently, affecting its efficacy, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This doesn’t mean that a vaccine isn’t safe or effective or is a catalyst for the disease. It only shows that a few may not respond to it as well as others, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma &Immunology (AAAAI).

 

Myth 3: It is better to get natural immunity from a disease than get it from a vaccine.

Fact: Without being vaccinated, your body may build immunity from natural infection, but you also put yourself at risk for serious complications and even death. For example, when you don’t get your child vaccinated for Hib (Haemophilus influenza type b), this may cause intellectual disability. Without getting vaccinated for measles, this may lead to death, according to WHO.

 

The same is true with the COVID-19 vaccine that has been hotly debated recently. Without getting vaccinated, it may lead to hospitalization or death. According to the CDC, you may also develop what is called “long-COVID,” where you may experience the chronic symptoms associated with the disease, like headaches or shortness of breath-.      

 

Myth 4: COVID-19 vaccines can give you the disease or may have serious side effects.

Fact: COVID-19 vaccines are designed to build immunity against the disease by using weakened or killed SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19. As for the adverse effects, there are some mild or short-term effects associated with these vaccines, such as fever, headaches, or body aches, which signal that the vaccine is working to build your immune system against the disease, according to the Cleveland Clinic in the U.S. However, it is recommended that you consult a doctor if you have allergies or any other pre-existing medical condition to assess your risk.

 

Myth 5: You get immunity for life when vaccinated against COVID-19.

Fact: According to the CDC, it’s still early to tell if a shot or two of the COVID-19 vaccine can give you life immunity. Studies continue to be conducted on a regular basis to check for its long-lasting effects, and formulas continue to be adjusted to develop immunity against other strains or variants of the disease.

 

Immunity against certain diseases doesn’t happen overnight, but research has shown that vaccines effectively provide protection against some of life’s most dreaded diseases. For critical illnesses that you may encounter as you get older, the best way to safeguard your health against them is to get protected as early as now.

 

The best way to do this is to get yourself a health insurance plan like AXA’s Global Health Access, which offers customers the best access to healthcare services here and abroad.

“Aside from the threats of COVID-19, critical illnesses like cancer, stroke, and heart attack remain in our midst, so we should also protect ourselves against them. With Global Health Access, it is easier for policyholders to avail of medical care wherever they are in the world through our partnership with over 1,400 hospitals and clinics locally and over 9,000 hospitals worldwide,” says Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer of AXA Philippines.

Global Health Access policyholders can now reimburse COVID-19 vaccine costs up to P5,000 and other eligible home care expenses, boosting the confidence of our customers in these challenging times. See herethe full details of the coverage.

Global Health Access also includes coverage for epidemic and pandemic diseases like COVID-19, allowing customers to get comprehensive treatment for such illnesses, on top of other top-tier health benefits, such as up to P175 million coverage for inpatient and outpatients treatments and executive health checkups of up to P20,000 per year. Moreover, the health plan allows cashless payments, which makes it more convenient for customers these days due to the ongoing pandemic.

When it comes to health, it’s always better to boost your protection. To know more about Global Health Access, visit www.axa.com.ph/health-protection/global-health-access

SupermodelMe Revolution features familiar and prominent faces in the fashion and modeling industry

Do you have what it takes to be a Supermodel? Then check out Refinery Media's reality show SupermodelMe.

Refinery Media, an award-winning production company renowned for producing compelling content for international networks, is bringing back its popular reality competition series, SupermodelMe. The latest season promises a fresh approach, new challenges, a star-studded cast, and builds off the success of its first five seasons. The original multi-platform show has received several international nominations and has been broadcasted in 13 territories globally.

 

Produced by Refinery Media, with Presenting Sponsor Subaru Asia and supported by Singapore Airlines Kris Shop, Season 6 was filmed in Singapore in June, with 12 aspiring models from 8 markets across Asia. ie Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Themed around female empowerment, this season’s titled ‘SupermodelMe Revolution’, aims to provide a fresh take on the modelling reality competition series: one that is modern, edgy and exemplifies what it means to be a model and a female role model today.

Refinery Media’s modelling reality shows, including SupermodelMe Season 1 to 5 and Asia’s Next Top Model Cycles 5 & 6, have helped to create a new generation of successful Models and Social Media Influencers. In the all-new season, the supermodel hopefuls will face challenges like never before, as they undergo intensive sports and fashion-related tasks, while testing their individual mental and physical resolve in the cutthroat world of fashion. They do this while living together under one roof and going head-to-head against each other. The Revolution series aims to push the models’ boundaries of mind, body and soul through the series. Only one contestant will emerge as the ultimate SupermodelMe winner and will go home with a Subaru Ambassadorship, a cover on Harper’s Bazaar and a modelling contract with Storm Model Management.

 

Besides new and emerging talents, SupermodelMe Revolution will also feature familiar and prominent faces in the fashion and modeling industry. Hosted by supermodel and actress Cindy Bishop, she is joined by an esteemed panel of resident judges’ including American photographer Yu Tsai - most famously known for his involvement on America’s Next Top Model Cycle 22 and Cycle 23, Hanli Hoefer - TV host and emcee, Ase Wang - Singaporean actress, model and entrepreneur, and Catriona Gray - Filipino-Australian model, singer and Miss Universe 2018. This season will also feature task masters Monika Sta. Maria - Filipino model and runner-up of Asia’s Next Top Model (Cycle 3) and Dana Slosar - Thai model and winner of Asia’s Next Top Model (Cycle 6), who will help to mentor contestants and offer them the best advice possible.

SupermodelMe is rebooted and will spotlight aspiring models from across Asia, ready to battle for

the ultimate SupermodelMe title

“It’s been a long time coming, but we’re very excited to bring back SupermodelMe for its Reboot season. It’s a show that I am personally passionate about and this season, we go beyond the perfect picture, catwalk show or video, to challenge the girls to give their best. We had to deal with extra challenges due to Covid19, flying an international cast into Singapore and ensuring the entire crew and cast were safe, but all these were worth the effort for the opportunity to produce an entire original series once again. Fans can expect much more exciting and challenging moments,” said Karen Seah, Founder and Executive Producer of Refinery Media. “We’ve definitely pushed the boundaries of a locally-made, internationally-recognized multi-platform television format into one that is transformative and impactful, both on the fashion industry and the lives of the contestants. This season is no different – and we hope to raise the spotlight of local and regional talents, as well as female empowerment in the world of fashion and modelling.”

 

“AXN Asia is proud to be the Official Broadcast Partner of SupermodelMe Revolution,” said Avani Bhanchawat, Vice President and Head of Revenue at KC Global Media (KCGM) Asia, the network that operates AXN across 17 territories in the region. “As the leading English-language general entertainment channel in Asia, we are committed to offering quality, relevant content that resonates with the market. SupermodelMe Revolution makes an excellent addition to AXN’s robust lineup of local Original Productions, putting the spotlight back on promising and upcoming Asian talents. We look forward to making the show available to our strong and continuously growing fanbase across linear and digital platforms.”

 

“This is a platform and opportunity for young women around Asia who are not afraid to try, to push their personal and professional boundaries and break convention to achieve excellence. For Subaru, this show embodies what we believe in, as we push the performance and technological limits of our cars and our network, to bring the best out, in all that we do, for our customers. Resilience, drive and a can-do attitude are what we believe in,” said Glenn Tan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director, Tan Chong International Limited. “Through this experience, I hope the contestants get an opportunity to knock down outdated ideas, inspire others to try new things, and shine in their own unique ways.”

 

Originally produced and broadcasted online in 2009, SupermodelMe has transformed since its first foray into multi-platform programming, which featured weekly television episodes alongside online webisodes where viewers could also view behind-the-scenes footage and deleted scenes. SupermodelMe’s cross-platform and unique digital integration efforts received prestigious nominations including "Best Cross-Platform Content" at the Asian Television Awards 2012, "Best Non-Fiction" at the International Digital Emmy Awards in 2013, and “Best Editing” at the Apollo Awards in 2014. Since then, SupermodelMe has been broadcasted in 13 countries globally, with a television reach of more than 30 million people.

 

The Asian premiere of SupermodelMe Revolution is set to air on 11 October 2021, Monday at 7:55pm on AXN Asia, across 10 weekly episodes. More details about the contestants and programming will be released at a later date, follow @supermodelme on Instagram, Facebook or www.supermodelme.tv for the latest updates. 

 

mWell: A One-Stop Health & Wellness Shop

Healthcare in the Philippines now becomes more accessible with mWell, the country’s first fully integrated, one-stop health & lifestyle app aimed at transforming the way healthcare is delivered through online doctor consultations, health education, wellness programs, online pharmacy services, and more. 

 

Soon to be launched by Metro Pacific Health Tech Corporation (MPHTC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (PSE: MPI), mWell is an all-in-one app designed for every Filipino’s demand for treatment and care during this pandemic where connecting patients with doctors and medical professionals has become very challenging.

 

PLDT President and CEO, Manny V. Pangilinan states, “Even before the pandemic, Filipinosneeded better access to healthcare. Many challenges and limitations hinder medical care and treatment, more so during this COVID-19 crisis. We are truly excited with mWell, the MPIC group’s investment in digital health care."   

 

Aside from online video consultations with licensed doctors from different specializations, mWell app users can gain valuable health information about a wide range of topics from COVID-19 to chronic disease management, pregnancy issues, online fitness, nutrition, and wellness programs. The mWell app also provides patients with the option to order medicines and healthy products via its e-pharmacy and online shop.  

 

MPIC’s President and CEO, Joey Lim added, “The fully-integrated experience empowers patients to be in full control of their health and wellbeing with just a few clicks, in the comforts of their own home. It truly is a game changer in healthcare management.”

 

Transforming TeleHealth  in the Philippines 

 

mWell is a high-performance mobile app powered by top names in the healthcare, wellness & tech industries. CareSpan's Clinic in the Cloud™ integrates digital care tools, capabilities, and data for mWell doctors and patients. LotusFlare’s cloud-native, agile IT digital enablement platform for a seamless, end to end customer experience. Ping An's healthcare technologies has enabled mWell to address Covid-19 concerns, diagnosis, care, and treatments. Leading HMO, Medicard, provides access to COVID-19 testing services. 

 

For OTC medicines and more, South Star Drug, one of the country’s top health retailers, is mWell’s first e-Pharmacy partner. CareSpan, Keralty Clinics and Philcare, a pioneer in digital service delivery, have introduced a gamut of doctors into the mWell ecosystem.  

 

The mWell app has an outstanding roster of primary care physicians, pediatricians, endocrinologists, internal medicine practitioners, ob-gyns, psychiatrists, COVID-19 specialists, and several credentialed providers such as nutritionists. Doctors and Healthcare professionals considering signing up are not charged any set-up fees. There are also no recurring charges and deductions from their professional fees. With this innovative platform, doctors can easily manage digital appointments, access patients' medical records, and issue e-prescriptions. 

A One-Stop Health & Wellness Shop 

 

mWell partnered with dedicated specialists for a comprehensive care and support like active8me, an award-winning all-in-one digital health and wellness platform for personalized daily fitness, nutrition and wellness programs, and theAsianparent, a go-to platform for smart parenting solutions from family health and wellness to pregnancy development articles. mWELL users can shop in over three thousand health and wellness products at the e-shop by Adobomall and  powered by PayMaya for fast, secure, and hassle-free transactions.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to be able to serve Filipinos all around the country in the area of digital healthcare. At the heart of mWELL lies our passion to bring health care closer to every filipino” adds Chaye Revilla, Chief Finance & Sustainability Officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. 

As an initial offer, PLDT Home customers will enjoy free doctor video consultation with mWELL doctors.  After the video consultation, mWELL users can purchase over-the-counter medicines from South Star Drug via the e-pharma in the mWell app and have it delivered to their preferred address.

 

Get started on your health today! Download the mWell app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. For more information, visit https://www.mWell.com.ph. 

 

 

#FightBudolMovement and protect your sensitive information

Even before the pandemic hit the Philippines, credit card fraud has been rampant in the country. Just last year, there was a recorded increase in fraud cases of almost 30 percent. With the rise of online transactions, fraudsters have found it easy to trick many cardholders into sharing their personal information and using it to steal money through unauthorized transactions.

Due to the restrictions brought by the pandemic, the e-commerce industry has grown immensely. From food and groceries to furniture and appliances, almost everything can now be bought online. With just a few taps, purchases can be made without leaving the house. It may be convenient, but these kinds of transactions pose potential risks. One wrong click can cause the leak of sensitive information without the customer knowing it.

 

But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are different types of credit card fraud that you should watch out for and how you can avoid them:

 

Phishing  & Vishing

Phishing and Vishing are some of the most common types of credit card fraud in the country. Phishing comes in the form of emails, fake job search sites, banner ads, fake browser toolbars, text messages, and chat room messages. Vishing, which is another type of Phishing, happens in the form of phone calls from scammers pretending to be bank representatives. With Phishing and Vishing, scammers lure their victims into giving their sensitive data by offering fake and too-good-to-be-true promotions or even by claiming that the account has been compromised and will be blocked.

 

What you can do: Carefully examine the emails and text messages that you receive and do not click on the links right away. For suspicious emails or text messages, contact your bank immediately to verify if the message you received is valid. At the same time, listen carefully to the phone calls you get as scammers can also claim to be bank representatives. When in doubt, it’s better to ignore and not entertain them. Never give your sensitive information to anyone, especially when visiting unverified websites.

Lost or Stolen Cards

 

You are on your way home when you realize that your wallet is missing and it could have been stolen or it could have fallen somewhere. What’s worse is it contains your debit cards, credit cards, IDs, and cash! Whoever gets it will have access to your credit cards and can use them to make unauthorized transactions under your name. You can only hope that someone with a good heart finds it and returns it to you, but that may not always be the case.

 

What you can do: If this happens to you, contact your bank right away and report your lost or stolen cards so the bank can block your accounts immediately. Moreover, cardholders should treat their cards like cash. Don’t place your wallet in areas where it can be easily seen and stolen. It is also helpful to have a different pouch for cards and cash so that you do not lose everything if anything happens to your wallet.

Card Replacement Scam

 

It’s just another normal day when you suddenly receive a call or message asking you to surrender your credit card because it is due for a replacement and an upgrade. You’re probably wondering why. The last time you checked your credit card was working fine. Since it sounds enticing that you’re getting an upgrade, you willingly submit and give up your card. But lo and behold, it’s a scam. Now you don’t have your card and the bill is stacking up because a scammer is using it to make expensive purchases.

 

What you can do: Always be careful with calls or messages you receive concerning your credit card or bank account. Remember, banks will never ask you to surrender your card even if it is up for replacement. Instead, they will ask you to destroy it or to go to their branch to give you the replacement card.

 

Skimming

 

You are out of cash and you need to go to an automated teller machine (ATM). You find the nearest one, insert your card, and withdraw cash. Little did you know, the machine was rigged. Fraudsters installed a device on the machine to skim your card’s magnetic stripe which contains all your sensitive information. Or maybe, you are shopping for a nice bag at the mall and you use your credit card to pay for it. However, the cashier’s credit card terminal has already been tampered, giving fraudsters access to your account.

What you can do: Thankfully, banks have upgraded their credit cards’ microchips and switched to EMV technology, making it harder for skimming devices to collect information from your card. However, cardholders should remain vigilant. Always make sure that all of your credit card transactions happen in your presence. Keep on checking ATMs for skimming devices by shaking the card scanners before inserting your card.

Other ways you can protect yourself from fraudsters and scammers:

One way is to avoid using public WIFI when conducting credit card transactions. It’s difficult to determine if these free WIFI connections have been hacked by fraudsters who are waiting for people to expose their sensitive information. 

 

Another is to ensure that your issuer has your updated contact information so they can reach you for any suspicious and unusual account activities. Remember that issuers will call you to verify transactions, but will not ask for your sensitive information.

 

When you encounter suspicious activities or unexpected declined transactions, immediately call your bank to check and advise them. You can also use your bank’s mobile app to track your activities. If it has the lock/unlock feature, choose to lock the card when not in use for increased safety. Always be on the lookout as well for notifications from your issuers.

 

Overall, the very key to avoiding scams is to make sure that your account details are always secured and inaccessible to the public. Never share your personal and sensitive information, like your CVV or one-time-pin (OTP), with anyone! Fraudsters will never be able to take over your account if they do not have these important information.

 

Today, it is so easy to ‘add to cart’ and ‘check out’, thinking na-budol na naman ako for giving into the temptations of online shopping. But the real and more dangerous budol are the credit card fraudsters who are taking advantage of the online space to trick you into giving away your hard-earned money.

 

As cardholders, you should take control of your credit card transactions and be extra vigilant before engaging in any online transaction as it is one of the prevalent ways that fraudsters can gain access to your sensitive information. Join the Credit Card Association of the Philippines’ (CCAP) #FightBudolMovement and protect your sensitive information, ward off fraudsters and take charge of your finances!

 

Follow CCAP on their Facebook page to learn more about CCAP’s campaign.