Maya Backs DOJ Anti-Scam Drive, Highlights Industry Cooperation and Consumer Awareness for Safer Digital Transactions
Kristoffer Rada, Head of Corporate Affairs at Maya, discusses the importance of industry cooperation and consumer awareness in fighting digital scams during the Department of Justice–Office of Cybercrime's CyberReady Campus Tour at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
- Stronger Collaboration: Maya calls for closer coordination among government agencies, financial institutions, telecommunications providers, and law enforcement to combat digital scams in the Philippines.
- Consumer Protection: Through its Scam Patrol campaign, Financial Fitness Program, and Maya Security Center, the company promotes fraud prevention, account security, and responsible digital financial habits.
- Cybercrime Prevention: Maya supports the DOJ's CyberReady Campus Tour and participates in multi-stakeholder initiatives aimed at strengthening the country's response to financial cybercrime.
As digital financial services become increasingly integrated into everyday Filipino life, protecting consumers from online scams has become an important responsibility shared by government, businesses, and the public. Maya, one of the Philippines' leading digital financial services platforms, is reinforcing this message through its support for the Department of Justice–Office of Cybercrime's (DOJ–OOC) CyberReady Campus Tour at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
The initiative highlights the importance of collaboration across industries and government institutions in addressing financial cybercrime. It also emphasizes the role of consumer education in helping Filipinos recognize fraudulent activities, safeguard sensitive information, and navigate digital financial platforms more responsibly.
Maya Calls for Stronger Industry and Government Cooperation
Speaking during the CyberReady Campus Tour, Kristoffer Rada, Maya's Head of Corporate Affairs, stressed that combating digital scams requires a coordinated approach involving government agencies, financial institutions, telecommunications companies, law enforcement organizations, and consumers themselves.
"A safer digital space needs everyone around the table," Rada said, emphasizing that financial cybersecurity cannot be addressed effectively by any single organization.
The Philippines has already introduced important legal and regulatory measures to strengthen consumer protection, including the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) and its implementing regulations issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
These measures establish mechanisms for addressing suspicious financial transactions, facilitating verification between financial institutions, and supporting investigations involving fraudulent activities.
However, having regulations in place is only part of the solution. Their effectiveness also depends on how quickly and consistently the relevant organizations can coordinate their responses when scams occur.
"Laws and plans work when we can put them into practice," Rada explained, underscoring the need for timely intervention, effective coordination, and meaningful assistance for consumers affected by financial fraud.
CyberReady Campus Tour Promotes Digital Safety Among Students
Consumer education is another important component of Maya's anti-scam advocacy, particularly as younger Filipinos increasingly rely on digital platforms for communication, shopping, payments, and other financial activities.
The DOJ–OOC organized the CyberReady Campus Tour seminar at UP Diliman in partnership with the university's Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and in collaboration with its Data Protection Office.
The session focused on helping students and faculty identify common online scams, protect personal information, and respond appropriately to potential cyber threats.
During the event, Rada encouraged students to develop safer digital habits and share their knowledge with family members and communities.
This approach recognizes that cybersecurity awareness extends beyond individual account holders. Informed consumers can also help others recognize suspicious messages, fraudulent payment requests, and attempts to obtain confidential financial information.
Maya Scam Patrol and Security Center Help Protect Consumers
Maya continues to support financial cybersecurity education through its Scam Patrol anti-scam awareness campaign and Financial Fitness Program.
These initiatives promote fraud prevention, responsible financial behavior, and safer use of digital financial services.
With the holiday shopping season approaching, the company is also reminding Filipinos to remain vigilant against fake online promotions, suspicious links, and fraudulent payment instructions.
Consumers are encouraged to verify the legitimacy of online sellers and payment details before transferring funds. Maya also reiterates that passwords and one-time PINs (OTPs) should never be shared with other individuals.
Beyond awareness campaigns, Maya provides account protection features through its Maya Security Center.
Through this facility, customers can review their login history, configure transfer limits, and freeze eligible credit cards when necessary.
These tools give users greater visibility over account activity and enable them to take precautionary measures when they encounter potentially suspicious transactions or security concerns.
Supporting Nationwide Initiatives Against Financial Cybercrime
Maya's participation in the CyberReady Campus Tour forms part of its broader involvement in national efforts to address financial cybercrime.
The company participates in the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Financial Cybercrime Concerns convened by the DOJ–OOC.
The working group brings together representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), BSP, National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), telecommunications companies, and major financial institutions.
Kristoffer Rada, Maya Head of Corporate Affairs (center) speaking at the Department of Justice–Office of Cybercrime (DOJ–OOC) CyberReady Campus Tour at the University of the Philippines–Diliman with Director Dr. Aris S. Manguera (left) and DOJ Prosecutor Chris Jark Ace M. Maño (right)
Maya also supports the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center's (CICC) Scam Safe initiative and has participated in collaborative programs including Protecta Pilipinas–Fintech.
Additional multi-stakeholder efforts involve organizations such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other public- and private-sector institutions.
These partnerships reflect the importance of information sharing, coordinated action, and sustained public education in addressing increasingly sophisticated financial scams.
Building a Safer and More Inclusive Digital Financial Ecosystem
As digital payments and other financial technologies continue to expand across the Philippines, maintaining consumer confidence will remain essential to encouraging broader adoption.
For Maya, expanding access to financial services and strengthening cybersecurity should be complementary priorities rather than competing objectives.
"We should not have to choose between greater financial access and stronger protection. The Philippines needs both," Rada said.
Ultimately, the success of anti-scam initiatives will depend not only on stronger regulations and security technologies but also on effective cooperation among institutions and greater awareness among everyday users.
By supporting educational initiatives such as the DOJ's CyberReady Campus Tour and participating in national cybersecurity collaborations, Maya is helping advance a digital financial environment where accessibility, consumer awareness, and protection can develop together.
