DTI warns consumers against online scams

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- As the wave of the future is e-consumerism, consumers are warned to be vigilant against scams and to protect themselves from the perils that come with the advances of   the digital age.

 Grace Baluyan, assistant director of the Department of Trade and Industry Cordillera Administrative Region urged consumers during the recent launching of the Consumer Welfare Month celebration at Capitol here to avoid being duped by scammers using online advertising.

 “While the use of cyberspace makes it easy to purchase goods and services that would not be available in brick and mortar stores, purchasing online open doors for cheating or scheming persons to take the consumers for a ride, and divest them of their money,” she said.

 Scams are being perpetuated by persons with pseudo accounts, collecting payments without actually sending products to the consumer.

 “This is why our 2017 CWM celebration has this theme, “Consumer Rights in the Digital Age” because more and more products and services are now being made available to consumers through the internet,” said Baluyan who is also concurrent DTI-Kalinga provincial director.

 DTI as lead agency has reached out to the Department of Information and Communications Technology and their private partners in the telecommunications sector to discuss topics that affect safety and security of consumers using the latest technologies available today.  

 “We are confident that with their expertise in cybersecurity, e-commerce and telecommunications, they can inform and influence our consumers to practice safe online habits,” Baluyan said.

She added that all these information would be useless if consumers fail or refuse to heed the suggestions, tips and advice of government agencies and advocates.

To be successful, she said consumer welfare programs should always be a collaboration of the government, business and consumers.  The common Juan dela Cruz should therefore assume more responsibility for himself, and businesses should lean towards balancing their desire for bigger revenues and the promotion of consumer interests.

Baluyan called on partners in government, in the business sector and people from all walks of life to observe the 2017 Consumer Welfare Month celebration with a commitment to ensure that consumers enjoy the fullness of their rights, and contribute to the growth and development of the Philippines.  -- PIA Kalinga