By Lana Laurel

Far Eastern University (FEU) Department of Communication (DepComm), in partnership with Rappler, held ‘#ScamAlert: Lolo at Lola Laban sa Scam,’ a scam literacy workshop for the youth and elderly at Arts Building Room 206 and University Conference Center last Tuesday, September 16. 

DepComm also partnered with the FEU Communication Society (CommSoc), Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and National Commission on Senior Citizens.

The workshop addressed the need for youth involvement in discussing cybercrimes such as scams, phishing attacks, and numerous cases of disinformation circulating in digital spaces that primarily target the elderly.

In her plenary discussion, DepComm Chairperson Christina Stella Ustaris emphasized that Communication students are crucial in creating a safer digital space as they are frontline catalysts toward media literacy and cyber safety. 

“To our dear students from FEU [Communication], you are our future journalists, content creators, and media professionals. This is your call—just not to be storytellers but truth-tellers, as well,” Ustaris said. 

The chairperson also mentioned how these digital attacks affect the victim, from financial strain to emotional distress.

“Every day, we hear stories of people, young and old, falling victim to online scams, phishing attacks, and false information. These threats are not just virtual—they have very real consequences on our finances, our safety, and our trust in one another,” she shared.

Furthermore, CICC Executive Director Renato ‘Aboy’ Paraiso highlighted the methods of scammers, their ability to cause distress, and the ways to avoid these scam techniques.

In 2025, CICC recorded 282 cases of senior citizens getting scammed online in the National Capital Region and Region IV-A alone. 

Paraiso explained that the age bracket mentioned was more susceptible to attacks due to their trusting nature, low digital literacy, and lack of up-to-date information. Additionally, they are easier targets due to their retirement funds or savings. 

He stated that most attacks are perpetrated by scammers who pretend to be relatives of elders and request financial assistance via SMS.

Likewise, Gemma Mendoza, the Head of Digital Services and Lead Researcher for Disinformation & Platforms of Rappler, explained that youth involvement in educating elders about the many uses of AI in online scams, such as ‘deepfake’ online ads, is crucial in creating safer digital spaces.

AI-generated deepfakes are digitally altered videos of someone's face or body, often used maliciously or to spread false information. This method is usually utilized to create ‘life-like’ versions of their relatives asking for monetary help.

Afterwards, two simultaneous workshops were held in the afternoon session to further demonstrate to the students and senior citizens the ways they can avoid being scammed. 

In 2022, the Philippines ranked fifth among Southeast Asian countries with the most phishing attacks recorded, and continues to be part of the top ten countries struggling with cybersecurity in the world. 

(Photo by Neil James Tamayo/FEU Advocate)