SEC and TikTok team up to fight scams and boost financial literacy

New #ThinkTwice video series guides Filipinos on spotting fraud and protecting their money

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is boosting its social media efforts for investor education and financial literacy by partnering with short-form video platform TikTok.

The two parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday reaffirming their commitment to “equip Filipinos with the skills and tools needed to navigate the digital landscape safely and responsibly.”

As part of the collaboration, TikTok and the SEC will co-create a series of #ThinkTwice videos designed to educate Filipinos on common financial and investment scams, show how to verify information sources, and provide practical tips to avoid falling victim to fraud.

A recent survey conducted by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance showed that more than 75 percent of Filipino adults encountered at least one scam in the past year, TikTok noted in a statement.

“With scams often spiking during the holiday season, the initiative encourages users to pause, reflect, and #ThinkTwice before engaging with suspicious online offers or investment invitations,” the statement said.

“While the fight against scams is a collaborative effort, we’re confident our partnership with the SEC is an important step in empowering Filipinos to navigate the digital world safely,” added Yves Gonzalez, head of public policy for TikTok Philippines.

Understanding Ponzi schemes

The first video collaboration between the SEC and TikTok will focus on Ponzi schemes, which are investment scams that promise guaranteed returns to existing investors using funds contributed by newcomers.

The SEC said the video aims to help viewers understand how the scheme works, the common language scammers use, and how to protect themselves.

The videos will be available on TikTok’s channels, the #ThinkTwice Resource Hub, and the official social media pages of the SEC.

The initiative is part of TikTok’s ongoing efforts in digital literacy and online safety, including partnerships with the Commission on Elections to prevent misinformation and the Department of Migrant Workers to raise awareness about recruitment scams. These programs aim to give Filipinos practical knowledge and tools to make safer decisions online.

SEC Commissioner Rogelio Quevedo said the agency “continuously finds ways to reach more people and spread our message of financial literacy to ensure that every Filipino has the knowledge and tools to make smart, informed investment decisions.”

Quevado said: “Through our partnership with TikTok, we are able to reach more Filipinos and provide practical guidance on how they can protect their hard-earned money, especially during the holiday season.”

With reports from Kiara Gorrospe

 

 

The SEC has partnered with TikTok to launch a series of educational videos aimed at helping Filipinos identify common scams, verify online information, and safeguard their investments—especially during the holiday season.

 

 

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