The spooky season has arrived, but not all monsters wear masks. Some hide behind fake links and shady offers designed to trick you into giving up your hard-earned money.

These are the real-life financial monsters: fraudsters, impersonators, and manipulators who turn everyday moments into horror stories.

According to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, 32% of Filipinos have fallen victim to digital fraud in the past year. And while it’s tempting to think you’d never fall for one, scammers are getting smarter and more creative.

Here’s what to watch out for:

Suspicious links and emails.

Those random texts and emails saying “there’s a problem with your account” or “you’ve won a prize”? They’re classic traps.

Scammers disguise themselves as legitimate companies to steal your information or access your accounts. Always double-check the sender’s address. If it looks off, don’t click.

Grammar gone wrong.

If a message is full of weird typos, awkward phrasing, or off punctuation, that’s a red flag.

Reputable companies review every message they send. When in doubt, don’t reply. Report it to authorities like the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group or the NBI.

Urgent and emotional messages.

Scammers love to pressure you. They’ll make you feel scared or guilty to get you to act fast.

Real companies won’t threaten or rush you into sharing personal info. Take a breath, hang up, and reach out to the official hotline to verify.

Deals that sound too good to be true.

If someone promises instant money or massive discounts, run. These scams often demand “processing fees” or personal info before disappearing. No legitimate prize will ever require payment upfront.

Behind every scam is a story of someone who deserved better. Sometimes, what started as a simple loan application can turn into a nightmare if a rogue online lender decides to harass someone over payments they didn’t even fully receive.

It’s a familiar story for many Filipinos who’ve been preyed on by unregistered or unethical financial services.

Thankfully, more responsible lenders and financial platforms today (Tala, for example) are working to raise awareness and fight back against these threats.

Some even use advanced systems to flag suspicious behavior, partner with authorities for investigations, and educate communities through financial literacy programs.

At the end of the day, awareness is your strongest defense. So this Halloween, stay sharp because protecting your peace (and your money) will always be the sweetest treat.

EastWest has introduced the BizAccess Visa Debit. It’s a new banking solution built with Visa to give SMEs a more efficient way to manage day-to-day finances. It combines a checking account, a dedicated debit card, and other digital tools. These will help business owners separate funds, track expenses, and streamline operations.

SMEs make up 99% of businesses in the Philippines. EastWest says the goal is to give entrepreneurs a system that keeps up with their fast-paced routines. BizAccess supports this with real-time transaction monitoring, easier cash flow management. There are also tools that let owners stay focused on running and growing their business.

BizAccess Visa

At the core is the BizAccess Visa Debit Card. It offers a secure way to handle purchases, supplier payments, and other business expenses. Business owners can issue up to ten cards to staff, allowing centralized tracking and clearer visibility across transactions. The card also includes travel accident insurance, transaction alerts, and access to Visa-exclusive promos and rewards. EastWest is extending a welcome offer alongside waived over-the-counter fees for deposits and withdrawals.

The card is paired with a BizAccess Checking Account, which requires a minimum maintaining balance of PhP 25,000. Entrepreneurs can manage the account through EasyBiz Online Business Banking. They can view balances, monitor activity, pay suppliers, manage cash flow, process government payments via eGov, and settle corporate bills. EasyBiz also supports card lock and unlock controls for added security.

EastWest and Visa highlighted the versatility of BizAccess by welcoming long-time business clients during the launch. In attendance were Aficionado, Bosch Car Service, Colombo Merchant Philippines, Kenzo and Kloe’s Nature Farm, and Nacho King — a mix of brands that represent Filipino entrepreneurship across different industries.

SME owners and decision-makers can now apply for the BizAccess Visa Debit Card at any EastWest Store. The checking account can also be opened and managed online, with EasyBiz offering step-by-step guides for activation and setup.

Ahead of its 12th anniversary, Home Credit Philippines has bared that it has already reached 12 million customers as of August 2025.

At its recent Future Focus: Building Tomorrow Together event, executives of Home Credit shared some numbers as the financial solutions provider has become a trusted leader in consumer finance.

33

Home Credit Philippines only had 33 customers when it opened its first ever booth back in 2013.

700, 1,100, 1,400

During its peak season, Home Credit said it has financed an average of 700 refrigerators, 1,100 air conditioners, and 1,400 televisions per day.

This highlights the strong demand for comfort and convenience at home even as consumers seek flexible financing methods.

10,000

Today, the company has a dedicated team of 10,000 sales associates.

18,000

Moreover, the financial solutions provider has presence in 18,000 partner stores. It’s impossible not to see one when visiting the tech and consumer electronics section of a mall.

2.5 million

That’s the number of smartphones HCPH has financed since the start of 2024. That’s an average of 5,000 devices per day, not even counting other electronics and appliances.

27 million

That’s how many mobile app downloads the Home Credit App has so far. It is available on the App Store, Google Play, and Huawei AppGallery.

PhP 4.5 billion

Recognizing that mobility has also been emerging as a rapidly growing industry in the Philippines, HCPH has also ventured into making motorcycles and e-bikes more accessible for Filipinos.

The company said it has financed closed to 70,000 units of such vehicles since 2024, amounting to PhP 4.5 billion.

PhP 20 billion

Furthermore, the iPhone remains one of the top choices for Home Credit users looking to purchase smartphones through its flexible plans.

Financing for iPhones reached PhP 10 billion in 2024, and HCPH said it is expected to hit PhP 20 billion by the end of 2025. That’s double the previous year’s volume.

PhP 500 billion

To cap it all off, this is the whopping total sales figure estimate across all credit offerings.

Home Credit Protect

Working hand in hand with the company’s affordable installment plans are its Home Credit Protect insurance program.

This is designed to give customers peace of mind without added financial strain. They can choose between Borrower Protection and Device Protection.

The first covers accidents, life, illness, hospital cash, installment waiver, online consultations, and protections for loved ones.

On the other hand, the second focuses on safeguards against accidental liquid damage, extended warranty, door-to-door repair or replacement, and like-for-like device replacement.

As of August 2025, Home Credit said it has approved and released over PhP 1.75 billion in claims for nearly 70,000 devices.