Holiday scam surge puts Filipino content creators at risk

DECODED: TECH, TRUTH, AND THREATS

By Art Samaniego

With the Christmas season drawing crowds back to malls, night markets, and year-end events across the Philippines, cybercriminals are turning their attention online, where many creators are busiest.

The rush to finish brand deals and holiday content has made social-media accounts more inviting targets, and cybersecurity professionals are already seeing more attempts to break into pages used for livestreams and promotions.

Creators who rely on their channels for income may want to slow down for a moment, check their inboxes, and treat every unexpected offer with suspicion, as scams usually spread faster in December.

Cybercriminals are widening their targets to include social-media influencers and online content creators, according to a new report that flagged rising cases of account takeovers, phishing attempts, and identity theft affecting creators in several countries, including the Philippines.

Security researchers from ESET said criminals are following the money and attention that influencers now command. The report noted that attackers use fake sponsorship offers, malicious collaboration proposals, and fraudulent login pages to steal access to accounts on major platforms.

Filipino creators are facing similar threats because many run their pages as small businesses and often manage everything themselves. A single compromised account can disrupt income streams from ads and brand deals.

In the past months, groups monitoring online fraud in the Philippines received more alerts from creators who suddenly lost access to their Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok accounts. Some incidents began with direct messages offering paid promotions. Others came from emails that copied the design of legitimate platforms.

The ESET study found that criminals prefer social media accounts with large followings because they can be resold, used to spread scams, or exploited to contact fans for fraudulent fundraising. Creators who rely on a single device for work are more exposed when they click links without verifying the sender.

Creators can reduce risks by taking several steps.

• Turn on two-factor authentication for all accounts.
• Use separate email addresses for business, recovery, and personal use.
• Avoid clicking links sent by unknown contacts, especially those promising sponsorships.
• Review browser sessions and recent logins.
• Keep a backup of important content stored away from social-media accounts.

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group reminded creators to report intrusions to the platforms quickly because response time affects recovery. The CICC and the PNP-ACG can assist victims who encounter attempts to extort money after an account takeover.

While most attacks aim for profit, some cases involve reputation damage when criminals post harmful content. In the past, several creators have shared experiences of sudden lockouts followed by suspicious posts that alarmed followers.

Creators who depend on their pages for income should treat their channels the way small businesses protect their customer lists and transactions. A few minutes spent checking a link may prevent a long disruption of work.

As 2025 reaches its busiest stretch, vigilance matters as much as creativity. The tools used against creators change frequently, and holiday traffic often gives criminals more opportunities to strike. A short pause before opening a link or agreeing to a collaboration can mean the difference between a regular posting day and a week spent recovering a locked account.

For many creators, the season is both a source of work and a moment to reconnect with their communities. Staying alert helps keep that routine steady. With that in mind, Scam Watch Pilipinas wishes all creators a safe and steady run through the holidays, and a Merry Christmas to those preparing their year-end content.