Scam Watch Pilipinas warns BIR badge could legitimize scammers
Scam Watch Pilipinas urged the BIR to coordinate with digital platforms and relevant government agencies to strengthen verification safeguards, particularly by linking registration records to actual business accounts and preventing unauthorized use of the badges.
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Courtesy of Scam Watch Pilipinas
In a statement issued Friday, October 23, the anti-scam movement expressed concern that the government-issued badge, intended to promote tax compliance and accountability among online businesses, could become another tool for online fraud.
Scam Watch Pilipinas cited numerous incidents of scammers stealing profile photos, impersonating legitimate businesses, and using images of resorts, hotels, and other establishments to deceive consumers.
“If these can be easily copied, what prevents scammers from doing the same with a BIR badge?” the group questioned.
The organization also raised concerns about the badge’s QR code verification feature, warning that scammers could copy genuine QR codes or replace them with links to fraudulent websites.
“A QR code is just a link. It is not proof of legitimacy. Even a genuine QR code that leads to a valid BIR registration does not necessarily prove that the person operating an online account is the registered business owner,” Scam Watch Pilipinas said.
The group emphasized that tax compliance should not be confused with consumer protection, stressing that BIR registration does not automatically guarantee that an online seller is trustworthy.
Scam Watch Pilipinas urged the BIR to coordinate with digital platforms and relevant government agencies to strengthen verification safeguards, particularly by linking registration records to actual business accounts and preventing unauthorized use of the badges.
It also called for mechanisms that would allow authorities and digital platforms to act quickly against scammers impersonating registered businesses.
“Technology intended to protect consumers should not inadvertently provide scammers with another tool to deceive them,” the group said.
“The last thing we want is to make scammers look legitimate with a government-issued badge,” it added.
Key points
- Scam Watch Pilipinas urged the BIR to coordinate with digital platforms and relevant government agencies to strengthen verification safeguards, particularly by linking registration records to actual business accounts and preventing unauthorized use of the badges.