In a significant move to bolster community-driven security, BDO Unibank (BDO) and the Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP) have jointly recognized officials from Barangay Bel-Air in Makati City for their pivotal role in thwarting scammers. This commendation underscores a growing emphasis on collaborative efforts to protect Filipinos from deceptive schemes that threaten their hard-earned money.
Multi-Sector Collaboration Leads to Scammer Arrest
The recognition stems from a recent operation where Barangay Bel-Air officials assisted law enforcement in apprehending individuals using illegal International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers. These devices intercept mobile communications to facilitate scams, posing a severe risk to unsuspecting victims. The Philippine National Police’s Anti-Cybercrime Group spearheaded the initiative after detecting unusual cellular signals in the area, which indicated the presence of these illicit tools.
Through advanced signal triangulation and close coordination with local barangay leaders, authorities successfully located the source of the signals and identified the suspects. This operation highlights the critical importance of community vigilance and inter-agency cooperation in combating cybercrime. As the PNP stated, "Every Filipino has the right to have their hard-earned money protected." They urge the public to stay informed, ask questions, and educate family members about common online scam tactics to prevent falling prey to fraudsters.
BDO’s Commitment to Fraud Prevention
BDO believes in the power of multi-sector collaboration among private institutions, government units, and law enforcement to prevent fraud and safeguard the public against evolving criminal tactics. In response to rising scams, the bank plans to conduct more workshops in communities across the Philippines. These sessions will share practical tips and insights on identifying fraud schemes, securing personal information, and reporting suspicious activities.
To help Filipinos recognize and avoid scams, BDO strongly recommends the following steps:
- Identify: Be wary of messages that trigger panic, require fast action, or contain suspicious links. If these elements are present, it is likely a scam.
- Avoid: Protect personal information by not clicking on unknown links and never sharing your One-Time Password (OTP) with anyone.
- Prevent: In case of a fraud experience, immediately reset your online banking password, lock your card via BDO Online, and call the bank’s hotline at (02) 8888-0000.
Remember, anyone asking for sensitive account details or your OTP is likely attempting to scam you—end the call right away.
BDO Pay: Rewarding Secure Transactions
Amid these anti-fraud efforts, BDO also promotes its digital payment solution, BDO Pay, as a secure and rewarding way to handle daily expenses. The app offers features such as Pay Bills, Send Money, Scan to Pay, Split Bill, and Request Money, making transactions effortless and safe.
Exclusive Promotions for Users
From February 1 to March 31, 2026, customers using BDO Pay’s Scan to Pay at SM Store and SM Retail affiliates can earn a P100 SM eVoucher for every P5,000 accumulated spend. Each user can receive up to P300 worth of eVouchers during the promo period, applicable at stores like Watsons, SM Supermarket, Our Home, and SM Store.
Additionally, from January 16 to March 31, 2026, every Pay Bills or Buy Load transaction through the BDO Pay app earns 1 Rewards point for every P100 spent. To start earning, users simply need to log in to the app and activate their BDO Rewards Card.
BDO Pay is designed to be simple, secure, and tailored to modern lifestyles, offering exclusive rewards that add value to everyday spending. For full promo details and a list of participating merchants, visit the official BDO website.
