DICT Caraga reminds public: Report online shopping scam to hotline #1326
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — As the online shopping boom continues to peak for the holiday season, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Caraga reminds the public to help authorities take action by reporting online shopping scams via the Inter-Agency Response Center (I-ARC) Hotline 1326.
Online shopping scams occur when fake sellers pretend to sell products on various online platforms to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting victims.
DICT Caraga Director Mario P. Cuñado shared that the I-ARC Hotline 1326 is the government’s 24/7 central number where the public can conveniently report online selling scams, including dubious and deceitful text messages, emails, love or romance, impersonation, investment fraud, cybercrimes, and phishing.
“The I-ARC is a collaborative effort of various government bodies such as the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Privacy Commission (NPC), and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC),” Dir. Cuñado said. “Enforcement, on the other hand, is handled by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division.”
“I encourage the Caraganons to utilize this government hotline for a more secure, inclusive, and connected Caraga region. By timely reporting suspicious and fraudulent transactions, this hotline will connect victims to agencies like the CICC, PNP, NBI, among others, and punish perpetrators and victims can seek redress,” he added.
Cuñado also relayed that aside from the hotline, reporting about online shopping scams can also be done through the eGovPH online application.
Meanwhile, DICT Caraga, at the start of the holiday season, supported the agency’s program on Oplan Paskong Sigurado, ensuring public mindfulness and vigilance in buying items online to keep their money and personal information safe.
It recommended some practical tips, which also aim to keep everyone worry-free in welcoming the new year 2026:
Buy only from verified sellers – Always check reviews, the seller’s website age, and whether they provide legitimate contact details. If something feels off, trust your instincts!
Use protected payment methods – Pay via credit cards or trusted payment platforms. Avoid sending cash or using unverified payment links to prevent financial fraud.
Be wary of unrealistic discounts – If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is! Extremely low prices are often a sign of a red flag.
Check website security – Look for HTTPS in the URL and avoid websites that ask for unnecessary personal info. Your safety online matters! (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from DICT Caraga)
