TikTok, SEC launch campaign vs. investment scams

TikTok, the world’s leading short-form video platform, has partnered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Philippines to promote financial literacy and raise public awareness about investment scams and fraud prevention as part of #ThinkTwice, the platform’s flagship digital literacy campaign.

In a recent survey conducted by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, more than 75% of Filipino adults have encountered at least one scam in the past year.

With scams often becoming more prevalent during the holiday season, the initiative encourages users to pause, reflect, and #ThinkTwice before engaging with suspicious online offers and investment invitations.

During the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU), both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to equip Filipinos with the skills and tools needed to navigate the digital landscape safely and responsibly.

“TikTok has always prioritized the safety of its community, investing in technology, human moderation, and educational initiatives to get ahead of emerging threats. While the fight against scams is a multi-sectoral one, we’re confident our partnership with the SEC is an important step in empowering Filipinos to navigate the digital world safely,” said Yves Gonzalez, head of public policy for the Philippines at TikTok.

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 fraudulent schemes.

The first video will focus on the Ponzi scheme, an investment scam promising guaranteed returns to existing investors through funds contributed by newcomers.

It intends to help viewers understand how the scheme works, the common language scammers use, and how to protect themselves against it.

The videos will be available on TikTok’s social channels and #ThinkTwice Resource Hub, as well as the official social media pages of the SEC, ensuring that credible and relevant content reaches millions of Filipino users.

This initiative builds on TikTok’s broader work in digital literacy and online safety, including partnerships with the Commission on Elections on misinformation prevention and the Department of Migrant Workers on recruitment scam awareness.

Through these efforts, TikTok continues to empower Filipinos with the knowledge and tools to stay informed, make safe decisions, and navigate the digital world responsibly.

“The SEC is continuously finding 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 and informed investment decisions,” said SEC Commissioner Rogelio Quevedo.

“Through our partnership with TikTok, we can spread our message to more Filipinos and provide clear and practical guidance on how they can protect their hard-earned money, especially during the holiday season,” he added.