THIS question begs answers: how many of us have unknowingly fallen victims to the so many kinds of scams that plague our everyday lives because of behavioral shifts online? It happens to the best of us and even to our loved ones, especially our elderly seniors who know nothing but to trust everything they see online as gospel truth.

Scam is a deceptive act, and its intent is to trick or deceive individuals or even organizations into sending (a) money (b) sensitive information or (c) valuables under false pretenses. Some are designed over time to ensure that when they attack, they can catch you at your most vulnerable. Scam can take on various forms, including online fraud, identity fraud and phishing, to name a few. This is how it comes out in the end, but what is important is to understand the storytelling process that scammers employ.

An older term for scam is budol-budol, where, when only analog phones are present, scammers would call the unknowing victim, pretend to be the daughter/son/relative of the homeowner, drop names to make the story believable with the end goal of troubling the poor household help to take owner's wallet/vault/valuables/jewelry and meet at a certain place so that the hospital deposit can be paid immediately to save said daughter's/son's/relative's life.

Nowadays, because many of us transact online for anything and everything, scammers are all over the place as well. They are present in marketplaces, community groups and even instant messaging communities. Scammers prey on their lack of familiarity with modern technology, tricking them into various schemes that compromise their financial well-being.

The consequences of falling victim to scams can be devastating, both financially and emotionally. Fraudulent activities can deplete life savings, leaving victims in a vulnerable and precarious situation. Moreover, the emotional toll of being deceived can lead to increased stress, anxiety and a loss of trust in others. In Singapore, a recently published story on the egg scam emptied a family's SG$150,000 life savings — all because the poor guy just wanted to buy eggs.

Bear in mind some of the commonly used tactics of scammers:

1. They entice you with something that is too good to be true. A sack of rice for P700 when retail price is at least a thousand pesos up, a vintage toy that goes for P400 when original price is P4,000 are just a few examples of how they get your attention. Be conscious.

2. They target vulnerable demographics such as senior citizens. Typically, the scammed friend whose identity is taken over by the scammer will send a message to the would-be victim with stories in order to get the OTP (one-time password). The stories can be detailed, magical and would leave the would-be victim excited to engage and participate. Watch out.

3. They send emails posing as your bank or as your friend and the body of the email contains suspicious links. Never click those.

In order to avoid the above and scam-proof your life, it is important to understand the concept of human 2FA. Much like its digital counterpart, it is an additional step to validate the identity of the one transacting with you. For example, if you are one of the lucky ones who have received messages online from your aunt/uncle/cousin/friend asking if you have extra P15,000 and if you can just send it via GCash, be careful. It is best to call the person they claim to be and validate. Chances are, that person is not at all asking for any help.

Human 2FA is a concept derived from the technological realm where two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide two different authentication factors. In our daily lives, human 2FA involves combining awareness and skepticism to verify the authenticity of requests or information. By adopting this mindset, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to scams.

The call to action is clear: all of us need to implement human 2FA as part of our lifestyle and everyday discipline. The following tips can help us understand better how to start employing this:

1. Educate our seniors: Informing seniors about the various scams prevalent in the country is the first step. There are opportunities to offer workshops or seminars to teach them about online safety, recognizing phishing attempts and understanding the red flags of potential scams.

2. Encourage skepticism: Let's instill in ourselves a healthy level of skepticism regarding unsolicited calls, messages or emails. We should independently verify the legitimacy of any request or information before taking any action. This is the heart of the human 2FA.

3. Establish trusted contacts: The need to maintain a list of trusted contacts, such as family members or close friends, will be helpful, especially when we need to consult them when faced with uncertain situations. This ensures we have a reliable source to confirm the legitimacy of requests.

4. Stay informed: Regularly read the news on the latest scams and fraud tactics. Knowledge is a powerful tool in preventing deception, and staying informed allows us to adapt to evolving threats.

5. Promote two-factor verification: Beyond the human aspect, encourage the use of 2FA for online accounts. This adds an additional layer of security by requiring a secondary verification step, usually involving a code sent to a registered device.

As scams continue to evolve, it becomes imperative for individuals, especially senior citizens, to embrace human 2FA as a lifestyle and discipline. By fostering awareness, skepticism and a proactive approach to security, seniors can safeguard themselves against scams that seek to exploit their trust. Family members and communities must actively support this initiative, creating an environment where digital literacy and security are prioritized, ultimately ensuring the well-being of our digital users in the Philippines.

Kay Calpo Lugtu is the chief operating officer of Hungry Workhorse, a digital and culture transformation firm. Her advocacies include food innovation, nation-building and sustainability. The author may be reached at kay.lugtu@hungryworkhorse.com.