Quezon city: Phishing or link-based attacks are now the fastest-growing digital threat in the Philippines, according to data from the Whoscall 2025 Philippines Scam Report. The report, published by Gogolook Philippines - a cybersecurity firm responsible for the anti-scam app Whoscall, found that risky URLs rose from 13,602 in the first quarter to 49,431 by the end of 2025 - an almost four-fold increase.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a press conference at the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) headquarters in Quezon City on Thursday, Gogolook general manager Mel Migri±o said the trend shows the rapid evolution of scam tactics. 'Scammers are shifting from calls and texts toward malicious links and fake social media sites because uniform resource locators (URLs) are easier to spread, harder to verify, and far more scalable,' Migri±o said.
Both scam calls and short message service (SMS) showed a year-on-year decline in some segments due to improved filtering and enforcement in the country. However, link-based phishing - particularly via URLs embedded in messages and social media - grew significantly. To address the heightened phishing threat, she called for coordinated action between the government, the private sector, and the general public.
'Technology alone can't solve this. We need to empower Filipinos with knowledge and tools to recognize and avoid scams before they take the bait,' she said. In particular, she called for joint campaigns, community training, and digital campaigns that can use scam data and turn it into practical guidance while reinforcing official reporting channels and support systems.
She urged digital consumers to take immediate and practical steps to protect themselves, such as downloading an anti-scam app like Whoscall. 'Before you click a link or answer a call from an unknown number, pause and check,' she said. On the other hand, she also warned businesses - particularly banks, e-wallet providers, e-commerce firms, and other companies of potential spoofing of their brands.
During the event, CICC Executive Director Renato 'Aboy' Paraiso thanked Migri±o and the rest of Gogolook for 'turning public reports into valuable insights and for strengthening partnerships that help protect more Filipinos.' 'This can be a source for actionable intelligence. When scam data is responsibly shared, it allows us to spot patterns, trace digital footprints, and respond faster to emerging threats,' Paraiso said.
