Let’s talk about those sneaky “bank calls” that promise rewards but leave you with… nothing.
I didn’t think I’d ever fall for a scam—especially not one from a “friendly” caller on my birthday!
But that’s exactly what happened.
Let me share how close I came to being scammed, and the red flags I missed at first (and the ones you shouldn’t!).
My Almost-Birthday Surprise Scam
It’s the day before my birthday, and I’m all excited, packing for an overnight staycation with my family.
I’m in the middle of folding clothes and planning a nice meal when I get a call from “BPI.”
The caller was super friendly—almost too friendly! The first thing he says? “Happy Birthday!”
My defenses were already down because, of course, I thought, Who else would know it’s my birthday if not my bank?
He starts chatting, asking if I’m ready for my new credit card. (I actually was expecting one, so it felt real!)
Then he drops the big “bonus”—he tells me I have over 100,000 rewards points just waiting to be redeemed.
That got my attention! I thought, Perfect timing for a birthday treat! I can use these points for a fancy dinner or shopping.
As he kept talking, I actually stopped packing to focus on him. He was friendly and casual, like someone I’d known for years.
But then, something clicked in my brain. I remembered checking my rewards points a few days before and knew they were nowhere near 100,000.
I had just redeemed a big chunk of points in December, so how could I have earned so much so fast?
So, I told him, “Actually, I only have around 9,000 points.”
But he kept insisting, “No, ma’am, it’s showing 100,000 on my end.”
At that point, I got curious (and a little suspicious), so I pulled up my BPI eSOA to double-check.
Sure enough, there were just a little over 9,000 points in my account.
That’s when the “birthday magic” started fading fast.
How I Realized It Was a Scam
I noticed something else strange—the number he was calling from wasn’t BPI’s official hotline but a random mobile number.
Now, I sometimes get legit bank-related calls from third-party providers, so this didn’t fully alarm me.
But it was just one more thing that didn’t sit right.
Then he did something weird: he handed me over to his “supervisor,” who assured me the points were “real” and valid.
That was the final straw.
I politely asked if I could verify everything with BPI’s hotline myself, and surprisingly, he said yes.
While he and the “supervisor” were still waiting on the line, I called the BPI hotline on my landline.
The representative confirmed my worst fear: it was a scam!
They advised me to hang up right away, block the number, and not share any info.
Looking back, I can’t believe how close I came to sharing my details with these scammers.
What saved me? Knowing my actual points balance from my eSOA and taking the time to double-check.
Unfortunately, not everyone’s as lucky.
The Scary Reality: My Friend’s Story
A close friend of mine wasn’t as fortunate.
She got a similar call, and before she knew it, she’d shared her personal details and OTP (one-time password) in the excitement.
She lost nearly ₱1 million from her account—her hard-earned savings.
She’s still working to recover it, but it’s a long, difficult process.
And we’re not alone. I’ve heard from other friends, colleagues, and even fellow financial planners who’ve received similar calls.
It’s clear these scammers are targeting as many people as possible.
Top Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed by Fake “Bank” Calls
- Never Give Out Personal Information Over the Phone
- A real bank will never ask for your OTP, PIN, or personal details over a call. The second someone asks, hang up.
- Check the Caller’s Number
- Legit calls from banks usually come from their hotline or landline numbers, not a random mobile number. If you’re ever unsure, politely end the call and contact the bank directly using the number on their official website.
- Verify Your Rewards Points Independently
- Always check your rewards points through your eSOA, the bank hotline, or the chat feature on the bank’s official website. Don’t rely on someone telling you “what’s in their system.”
- Watch Out for High Rewards Promises
- If someone’s promising a huge number of rewards points, be cautious. Scammers use high numbers to catch you off guard and get you excited.
- Pause and Verify
- Scammers often use pressure tactics to make you feel like you need to act quickly. Take your time! Call your bank directly or use their verified channels to check any offers.
- Use a Landline to Call the Bank Back
- If you’re on the phone with a suspicious caller, tell them you’ll call back, then use a landline to contact your bank’s official hotline. This ensures you’re in control and can verify the information.
Why These Calls Feel So Real
Scammers use friendliness, small talk, and even personal details like your birthday to make things feel natural and trustworthy.
They know that a “friendly voice” can get people to let their guard down.
But remember, banks don’t use this method to reach out with important information.
Stay Smart, Stay Safe: Don’t Let Scammers Steal Your Peace of Mind
Scams like these can shake anyone’s confidence.
It’s totally okay to be suspicious, ask questions, and verify information.
Banks are always happy to help you double-check anything that seems off.
After all, there’s no rush when it comes to protecting your hard-earned money!
Stay alert, trust your instincts, and share these tips with others so they don’t fall for this kind of scam.
There’s no birthday “reward” worth the risk of being scammed.
Stay safe, and remember: your security is worth taking a few extra moments to check.
Have you ever received a call like this? I’d love to hear your stories!
What did you do when you realized it was a scam? Did you manage to keep your personal info safe?
Let’s share our experiences in the comments below so we can help each other stay vigilant.
Remember, staying informed is the best defense against these sneaky scams. We’re all in this together!
