PLDT Global empowers OFWs with internet safety tips

Former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Teresita Romilla have been on the receiving end of text scam messages for several days, urging her to click a link sent by an alleged e-wallet. “My child told me to watch out because the spelling was wrong, and at the same time, I don’t have an account on that platform, so how could I suddenly receive money?”

The 59-year-old said Romilla, a leader of the OFW National Capital Region Federation, was able to relate to the examples presented during the recent #BeCyberSmart talk for OFWs at the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in Mandaluyong City.

The former domestic helper from Singapore was among the audience of current and former OFWs with and their families who listened to the lecture on internet safety tips powered by the PLDT Group. Participants learned about internet hygiene to secure their data and prevent their devices from getting compromised, practical tips on how to spot and avoid web and mobile scams, including phishing and vhishing attacks that can steal their hard-earned money, and were warned as well as warned them on the seemingly harmless viral trends that could later compromise their or their loved ones’ identity and privacy.

“Malaking tulong [yung mga ganitong lecture], natutuwa ako dahil nabubuksan ng mabuti ang isipan namin,” Romilla added.

Part of their advocacy to empower OFWs, PLDT Global Corporation (PLDT Global), through its partnership with the DMW, mounted this talk in time for the kickoff of Christmas festivities at their headquarters. Around 50 OFWs registered and listened to the seminar, while a lot more were able to listen in while doing their errands and other transactions inside the building.

“We hope to educate OFWs through this seminar so that we can help them protect themselves and their family members from internet scams and at the same time, empower them with the knowledge to navigate the online world safely and responsibly,” said Albert V. Villa-Real, President and CEO at PLDT Global, the international arm of PLDT Inc.

The efforts of PLDT and Smart to share #BeCyberSmart tips are rooted in their customer-centric culture where they aim to elevate the quality of customer experience by protecting them from threats and cyber-attacks.