How to spot and avoid impersonation scams in the Philippines

Impersonation scams are on the rise in the Philippines. Fraudsters are increasingly pretending to be people or organisations you trust, such as banks, government agencies, delivery companies, or even friends and family.

These scams are becoming more convincing. Some scammers use spoofed phone numbers, fake social media profiles, or messaging apps like Facebook Messenger to appear legitimate. Knowing what to look out for can help you recognise a scam early and avoid losing money.

This guide explains how impersonation scams usually work, the warning signs to watch for, and what to do if something does not feel right.

What are impersonation scams?

Impersonation scams happen when someone pretends to be a trusted person or organisation to trick you into sending money or sharing sensitive information.

In the Philippines, scammers often impersonate organisations or people such as¹:

• Banks or e-wallet providers
• Government agencies
• Delivery or logistics companies
• Online sellers or marketplaces
• Friends or family members

These scams often begin with unexpected contact. You may receive a message or call through SMS, email, or apps like Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp.

The message may look genuine and may even come from an account or number that appears familiar. The goal is to get you to act quickly, before you have time to verify the request.

How these scams usually work

Most impersonation scams follow a similar pattern.

You receive an unexpected message or call claiming there is an issue with your account, a delivery, or a payment. The scammer creates urgency and pressures you to act immediately.

You may then be asked to:

• Transfer money
• Share login details or one-time passcodes
• Click on a link to “verify” your account

Once the scammer gets access or receives money, they disappear.

Recognising this pattern early can help you stop a scam before it progresses.

Why scams are getting harder to spot

Some impersonation scams now involve manipulated audio or video. These can imitate real voices or faces, making calls or messages seem more convincing.

Because of this, appearance alone is no longer proof that a request is genuine. Even if something looks or sounds familiar, it is important to verify it through official channels.

Common warning signs to watch for

You may be dealing with a scam if:

• You’re asked to act urgently or under pressure
• The message asks for sensitive information
• You’re told to keep the request secret
• A link looks unusual or slightly different from the official website
• The request doesn’t match how the organization communicates

If something feels off, trust your instincts and verify it first.

How to protect yourself

Taking a few simple steps can help reduce your risk.

Practice good cyber hygiene

• Use strong, unique passwords and adopt multi-factor authentication
• Avoid reusing passwords across accounts
• Enable secure login methods like Passkeys where available

Keep your account information private

• Never share usernames, passwords, PINs, OTPs, or authenticator codes
• Don’t send login details over messages or calls

Verify before you act

• Double-check website addresses and links
• Confirm the sender’s contact details through official sources
• Only download apps from official app stores

Understand how scams work

• Stay informed about common fraud schemes
• Be cautious of unexpected requests involving money or personal details

Know your responsibilities as a customer

• Read and understand the terms and conditions when using financial platforms
• Be aware of how your account should and shouldn’t be used
• Set up notification alerts and limits for your account and monitor all alerts that are delivered to you for prompt actions to be taken, if required

Risks of money muling

Scammers may ask you to receive or transfer money on their behalf. This is known as money muling.

Even if you think you’re helping someone, this is a serious offence.

In the Philippines, penalties may include:

• Imprisonment: typically 7 to 14 years
• Fines: from ₱3 million up to ₱5 million or more, depending on the case

Never allow others to use your account, and don’t transfer money for someone you don’t fully trust.

What Wise will never ask you to do

Knowing what Wise will never ask for can help you spot scams more quickly.

Wise will never:

• Ask for your password or one-time passcodes
• Ask for your login details over a phone call or message
• Send clickable links asking you to make payments or provide personal information
• Pressure you to act immediately

If a message claims to be from Wise and includes any of the above, it is likely a scam.

Tools that can help protect you

Wise uses several measures to help customers stay safe and verify genuine communications.

Smart protection

Wise uses verification steps, such as secure communication codes, to help you confirm when you are communicating with us.

Dedicated security teams

Wise has anti-fraud teams who monitor scam trends and work to protect customers.

24/7 customer support

Wise’s customer support teams are available 24/7 via phone, email, or live chat. You can reach out through official Wise channels to verify a request or report a concern.

What to do if something does not feel right

If you receive a suspicious call or message, take these steps:

• Stop and do not respond immediately
• Do not click links or share personal details
• Contact Wise directly through official channels

If you believe a scam has occurred, you may also consider reporting it to local authorities. Reporting scams can help prevent others from being affected.

In the Philippines, you can:

• Report incidents through official government or law enforcement channels
• Check platforms such as ScamWatch Pilipinas for guidance and reporting options²
• Use call identification tools like WhosCall to screen unknown numbers³

If you think you may have been targeted or affected, follow Wise’s official guidance:

• Watch out for phishing
• I may be the victim of fraud or a scam

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Wise Pilipinas Inc. is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. You may visit the BSP website for more information about its regulatory framework and consumer protection policies.

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Sources

1. Impersonation Scams
2. ScamWatch Pilipinas
3. WhosCall