Protect Your 13th Month Pay from Scams

Your 13th month pay is almost here! While it brings more opportunities to save, spend, and reach your goals, it can also attract scammers looking to cash in.

Don’t let online scams put your extra cash at risk. Learn how to spot these four common scams:

1. Fake Rewards and Holiday Giveaways

Who wouldn’t want extra cash or shopping vouchers for holiday gifts? Scammers impersonate popular brands, shopping platforms, and even government agencies to make fake promos look real.

🚩 Watch out if:

• You win a raffle you never joined.
• You must pay a fee to claim a prize.
• The sender or link doesn’t match the brand’s official account or website.

🛡️ Protect yourself: Check the promos through official channels and never pay to claim a supposed prize.

2. Fake Bank Alerts and Phishing Messages

A message claiming to be from your bank warns of a suspicious transaction or asks you to “secure” your account before holiday spending. The link may lead to a fake website designed to steal your login details.

🚩 Watch out if:

• The message threatens to block your account or pressures you to act immediately.
• The link has unusual spellings or leads to an unfamiliar website.
• Someone asks for your password, PIN, or OTP.

🛡️ Protect yourself: Use your bank’s official app or verified contact channels and never share your security codes.

3. Online Selling Scams

Fake sellers use tempting holiday deals to pressure shoppers into sending money without a real item to sell. 

If you’re selling items for extra holiday cash, watch out for fake buyers, too. Someone may claim they’ve paid even when no money has reached your account.

🚩 Watch out if:

• The seller rushes you into paying before you can assess the offer. 
• The seller refuses reasonable verification or insists on unusual payment methods.
• A buyer’s payment screenshot doesn’t match your actual bank or e-wallet balance.
• Someone asks for your OTP or sends a suspicious payment link.

🛡️ Protect yourself: Check seller reviews and confirm payments directly in your account.

4. Too-Good-to-Be-True Investments

Want to grow your 13th month pay? Social media posts and group chats may promise guaranteed daily earnings through cryptocurrency, forex trading, or other investments.

Scammers use fake testimonials and profit screenshots to attract people looking to boost their holiday budget, sometimes pressuring them to recruit friends or coworkers.

🚩 Watch out if:

• Profits are guaranteed or unusually high with little risk.
• You’re pressured to invest before a limited-time offer expires.
• You’re asked to transfer money to a personal account or recruit others.
• The company or investment lacks the required Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) authorization.

🛡️ Protect yourself: Verify the company and check the SEC’s official advisories before investing. Remember, every legitimate investment carries risk.

Keep Your 13th Month Pay Safe

Before clicking a link or sending money, ask yourself: Is this legitimate? Does anything seem off? Am I being rushed?

Use strong, unique passwords, enable transaction alerts, and never share your PIN or OTP. If something feels suspicious, don’t click, pay, or share your details.

Your hard-earned pay deserves to go toward the things that matter most to you. And when you need support managing other financial obligations, explore your options through the SAVii app and make informed decisions that keep your goals on track.