CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — As more people access the internet to do online transactions, the Cebu Bankers Club (CBC) is once again urging bank depositors to be more vigilant against such online scams as phishing.

“We warn the public not to trust anyone or click on any link sent via e-mail or SMS requesting for personal information. Clients should only deal directly with their respective banks,” said CBC past president Prudencio Gesta, who is also the senior deputy head of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC)’s sales operation for the Visayas and Mindanao.

Phishing is defined as a way of attempting to acquire such information as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in electronic communication. Communications purporting to be from popular social web sites, auction sites, online payment processors or IT administrators are commonly used to lure unsuspecting individuals.