Gogolook urges Filipinos to use Whoscall app to avoid travel scams this summer, Holy Week

Gogolook, the technology convenor of Scam Watch Pilipinas, is urging Filipinos to download and use the Whoscall app, a global anti-scam application, as travel-related scams continue to rise amid higher airfare and increased bookings ahead of the summer and Holy Week travel season.

Gogolook said these scams are increasingly delivered through calls, text messages, and malicious links, making digital verification tools critical for travelers.

Mel Migriño, General Manager and Country Head of Gogolook Philippines, emphasized the importance of using technology to verify suspicious communications before engaging.

“Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, especially during peak travel periods. They use fake links, unknown numbers, and impersonation tactics to trick travelers. This is where tools like Whoscall become essential,” Migriño said.

The Whoscall app provides a range of features designed to help users detect and avoid scams. Its Caller ID feature allows users to identify unknown numbers in real time, helping them screen potentially fraudulent calls before answering.

The app also includes a URL Checker, which enables users to verify whether a link is safe before clicking, a common entry point for phishing scams disguised as travel deals or booking confirmations.

In addition, Whoscall offers SMS filtering to flag suspicious messages, as well as a database of known scam numbers and links that is continuously updated to reflect emerging threats.

Migriño said these features are especially critical as scammers shift across multiple channels, targeting victims through calls, text messages, and online links.

“Travelers should not rely on instinct alone. Having a tool that can instantly verify numbers and links adds an important layer of protection,” she said.

Gogolook reiterated that while vigilance is important, using trusted technology platforms such as Whoscall can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to scams, particularly during high-risk periods like holidays and peak travel seasons.

The call comes as Scam Watch Pilipinas flagged four travel scams now circulating more aggressively: fake accommodation listings that turn out to be nonexistent upon arrival, fake Wi-Fi hotspots used to steal personal and banking data, too-good-to-be-true travel deals that disappear after payment, and cheap airline tickets sold on social media by unauthorized individuals or fake agents who pressure victims into immediate transactions outside official channels.

READ:

Scam Watch Pilipinas flags top 4 travel scams as airfare rises ahead of Holy Week travel rush