MANILA, Philippines — A new scam-checking website and an interactive game backed by Google are giving Filipinos tools to test suspicious messages before they send money, as regulators admit that years of warnings have failed to stop fraud losses running into the billions.
At ScamCheck.ph, users can paste a text message or upload a screenshot for an AI-assisted assessment of whether it might be fraudulent. The site also explains common scams, lets victims share their experiences, and guides users on how to report fraud. It was first developed by Metrobank and the civic technology group BetterGov.ph in late 2025, and is now being promoted more widely through the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines' (BMAP) Scam Check Movement.
Why banks are trying a new approach
The push comes as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) acknowledges that repeated warnings have not changed behavior. Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat told reporters on Monday, October 12 that the same messages get circulated year after year, yet people keep getting scammed.
She said the BSP is working with BMAP and behavioral science specialists to change how scam warnings are communicated, so consumers act on them before making transactions.
For those who prefer to learn by doing, Google's Be Scam Ready game walks players through scenarios based on real scam tactics, following a character's story and giving feedback on their decisions.
Even a tech executive got fooled
Google Philippines country manager Prep Palacios shared her own story. A couple of years ago, she paid for an online purchase after what seemed like a professional exchange with a seller. Once the payment was sent, the account vanished along with the messages. She lost P90,000.
She said the experience was not just about the money but the realization of how easily she was manipulated, even as a tech executive.
The numbers behind the campaign
A 2026 report by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), based on a survey of 1,160 adults, found that 84% of Filipino respondents encountered a scam attempt in the past year. Some 15% lost money directly or through stolen personal information, even though more than half said they were confident they could recognize scams.
The study estimated that Filipinos lose P121.8 billion to scams annually, an average of P10,427 per victim.
Regionally, Google.org has committed $5 million to the ASEAN Foundation's Scam Ready ASEAN program, running from 2025 to 2027. The funding covers interactive learning tools and the training of 2,000 master trainers who are expected to educate at least 550,000 people across Southeast Asia.
Locally, BMAP programs director Catherine Villanueva said the training effort aims to reach one million Filipinos through schools and communities. An initial 105 master trainers, mostly from banks and financial institutions, have already been mobilized, and banks plan to fold scam prevention into existing financial literacy programs.
How can Filipinos check if a message is a scam?
Users can visit ScamCheck.ph and paste a suspicious text message or upload a screenshot for an AI-assisted assessment. The website also lists common scams and explains how to report fraud.
What is the Be Scam Ready game?
It is an interactive game developed by Google that puts players through scenarios based on scam tactics. Players follow a character's story, make decisions, and receive feedback on their ability to detect fraud.
How much do Filipinos lose to scams each year?
A 2026 Global Anti-Scam Alliance study estimated annual losses of P121.8 billion, averaging P10,427 per victim, based on a survey of 1,160 Filipino adults.