Pinoys warned vs. fake online sellers, encouraged to buy local

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is reminding the 30 million online shoppers in the Philippines to check the identity of online sellers before purchasing any goods.

In a report by GMA News' Lei Alviz on 24 Oras on Thursday, DTI Assistant Director Lilian Salonga of the Consumer and Advocacy Bureau  encouraged shoppers to interact with the seller before making purchases.

"Ang trend kasi, 'di lang siya pang-B to C or business to consumer, marami ring nagbebenta na C to C, or consumer to consumer," Salonga said.

"Kailangan makipag-interact ka dun sa seller kung mababantayan ang mga rights mo. Katulad nang kung may depektibo yung produkto nago-offer ba siya ng redress or return policy," she added.

Consumers are reminded to check the identity of sellers, customer reviews, product pictures, product and return policy, if they have "trust" marks on their products, and if the seller's website has a secure method of payment.

"Hinahanap natin yung sign na HTTPS para malaman mong lehitimo ang website na nagbebenta nito," Salonga said. "Yung payment secured sites yung merong icon na padlock."

Sellers are reminded to register with the government, while consumers are advised to lodge their e-commerce complaints with the DTI's Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau.

Consumers were also encouraged to buy locally-manufactured products, especially from areas devastated by natural disasters

"Sa bawat bili niyo ng produkto dito, tinutulungan niyo yung mga tao doon sa amin sa Samar and Leyte na nasalanta ng Yolanda," DTI Samar Provincial Director Meilou Macabare said. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News