CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) urged consumers to remain vigilant when shopping, especially online, as holiday demand surges during the Christmas season.
DTI Pampanga Consumer Protection Division Chief Nathaniel Samson said the agency has an existing monitoring system to track online market trends and detect suspicious activities in various digital platforms.
“Mayroon kaming monitoring system na binabantayan ang online platforms para makita kung ano ang mga kalakaran sa merkado,” he said.
Samson also warned consumers to be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true, as these are often linked to scams.
DTI also advised consumers to choose safer payment options, such as cash on delivery or payment upon receipt.
“Mas safe kayo kung magbabayad kayo upon delivery or upon receipt. Kasi kapag nagbayad kayo online at bigla kayong binlock, mahirap na silang hanapin,” Samson said, noting that many scammers use personal social media accounts when transacting with the public.
The DTI official said it is better for sellers to follow up on buyers rather than the other way around, especially when money is involved.
For in-store purchases, DTI reminded consumers of their right to information and encouraged them to compare prices by visiting several stores before making a purchase.
The agency noted that large malls can influence impulse buying, particularly when shoppers are in a hurry or when stores are about to close.
“Kapag pasara na ang mall, mas madali tayong magdesisyon nang hindi masyadong nag-iisip, kaya agad nating binabayaran. At saka natin mare-realize na ayaw pala natin,” he observed.
Samson likewise reminded consumers to prioritize safety when buying Christmas lights by checking if the product has either Philippine Standard (PS) mark or the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker to ensure that products meet safety standards.
Consumers were also advised to check the maximum capacity of Christmas lights, as over-connecting them may cause overheating and fire hazards.
It is also important, the DTI warned, to ensure that lights intended for indoor use are not installed outdoors, where exposure to sunlight and rain may cause damage.
For her part, DTI Pampanga Provincial Director Elenita Ordonio urged consumers to verify business credentials of online sellers asking for down payment.
“Bago kayo magbayad ng downpayment, hingan ninyo sila ng licenses at permits at itanong ninyo sa DTI kung legit ang kanilang business name registration,” she said.
She also assured that while some online fraud cases fall outside the agency’s jurisdiction, these are endorsed to appropriate authorities, including law enforcement agencies.
Ordonio reiterated DTI’s call for vigilance, especially when transacting in online marketplaces, to avoid falling victims to scams during the holiday season.
