As many unsuspecting Filipinos fall victim to the increasing number of online scams, Scam Watch Pilipinas (#ScamWatchPH) is urging the public to save the Inter-Agency Response Center (I-ARC) Hotline 1326 on their mobile devices in case of need.

I-ARC is the centralized cybercrime response inter-agency collaboration of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), Department of Information, Communications, and Technology (DICT), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and National Privacy Commission (NPC) with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as its law enforcement arm.

Art Samaniego, #ScamWatch co-lead convenor and Manila Bulletin (MB) Technology Editor said that the movement is helping the government amplify the I-ARC Hotline 1326.

“The 1326 hotline is a 24/7 hotline that can be used to report scams. It is a project of the DICT-CICCC and manned by trained professionals who can help you with your scam cases. The hotline can be used to report a variety of scams, including Investment scams, Phishing scams, Text scams, Email scams, Caller ID spoofing scams, Romance scams, and any other online scams. Many cases that I referred to 1326 hotline were resolved immediately,” Samaniego said.

Aside from 1326, victims of online scams can also call or message the other I-ARC numbers: 0947-714-7105 (SMART), 0966-976-5971 (Globe), and 0991-481-4225 (DITO).

CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Alexander Ramos appealed to victims of cybercrime to report to the I-ARC Hotline 1326.

“We want the public to report to stop cybercrime because we have the technology to help the people. We have also the PNP and NBI in the field to help us with enforcement,” Ramos said.

Samaniego said that the 1326 hotline is an important resource for people who have been scammed. “The I-ARC Hotline 1326 allows you to report the scam to the authorities and get help in recovering your accounts and sometimes, even money. The hotline is also a way to help prevent people from being scammed as it answers inquiries about possible online scams,” Samaniego said.

“When you call the 1326 hotline, you will be asked to provide some information about the scam, such as the date and time of the scam, the details of the scam, and the contact information of the scammer. The CICC will then investigate your case and take appropriate action,” Samaniego added.

#ScamWatchPH is a cybersecurity movement, which was founded by MB and reputation management brand Truth360, intended to educate as many Filipinos as possible against cyber fraud and online scams, ensuring they are armed with the necessary knowledge to safeguard their virtual activities.

Last July 14, #ScamWatchPH signed a covenant with DICT, CICC, NTC and NPC that recognized and institutionalized the cybersecurity movement as the government’s national citizen arm to educate Filipinos with crucial knowledge to defend themselves against online scams while leveraging CICC’s tools for preventing and suppressing cybercrimes.

Ramos also noted that #ScamWatchPH would boost the CICC’s cybercrime prevention initiatives of the government. “We want the public to wake up because there is hope so as not to become a victim,” he added.

Follow and like #ScamWatchPH FB Page at facebook.com/scamwatchpilipinas.