Helping Retirees Navigate Today's Scam Risks

At a recent CX Caravan stop with the Meralco Employees and Retirees Association (MERA), retirees took part in a practical discussion on a growing digital threat: scams that often arrive disguised as ordinary texts, familiar calls, and messages that seem legitimate at first glance.

Francis Barreso, President of MERA, has seen how convincing these attempts can be—from urgent requests for one-time passwords to calls that use fear and pressure, even loan collection notices sent to people who never took out a loan.

“They don’t always look suspicious at first,” he said. “That’s what makes them dangerous—because they sound urgent, familiar, even legitimate.”

That familiarity is what makes scams so effective. They blend easily into everyday life, catching people off guard in moments when they least expect it.

Through SCAMpaign, one of the key education initiatives under CX Caravan, Smart is helping communities build simple but important habits of caution—never sharing personal information, avoiding unfamiliar numbers, and thinking twice before clicking suspicious links.

Filipino senior citizens are becoming frequent targets of scams, as fraudsters increasingly package deception in ways that appear credible at first glance.

For many retirees, a mobile phone is more than a device—it’s how they manage finances, stay connected with loved ones, and access essential services. Protecting themselves online has become part of protecting daily life.

“This kind of session really helps people like us,” Barreso said. “It gives us the confidence to pause, think twice, and protect ourselves before we act.”

That pause—that moment of second thought—is what makes the difference.

Kristine Generalao, AVP for Customer Experience at Smart Communications, underscored why efforts like SCAMpaign matter.

“Digital trust is now a core part of customer experience. As scams evolve, our responsibility is not only to keep customers connected, but to help them stay informed, vigilant, and empowered,” Generalao said. “SCAMpaign is about turning awareness into everyday action—so customers feel more confident navigating an increasingly complex digital world.”

SCAMpaign is aligned with the PLDT Group’s broader #BeCyberSmart campaign, which empowers customers to protect themselves against online scams and fraud.