No. 28/210/DKom
Students' digital proficiency needs to be accompanied by the ability to recognise and manage risks, thus progressing from digital savvy to risk savvy. Digital fraud frequently exploits panic, trust and pressure to act quickly, leading consumers to make decisions without verification. Students are encouraged, therefore, to pause before conducting transactions, verify information through official channels, protect personal data and confidently report any problems they encounter. Students are also encouraged to become agents of education by sharing their knowledge with those around them, enabling universities to foster a critical and responsible culture in the use of digital financial services.
This message was delivered by the Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, Filianingsih Hendarta, in the presence of Universitas Airlangga Vice Rector for Human Resources, Ardianto, Commercial Banking Director of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, Alexander Dippo Paris Y.S., Head of the Bank Indonesia Representative Office for East Java, Ibrahim, as well as representatives from the Association of Indonesian Private Commercial Banks (PERBANAS), the banking industry, academia and students, when inaugurating the CERDAS PeKA hub on 2nd October 2026 at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) in Surabaya. CERDAS PeKA provides an education and discussion space to encourage students to not only become proficient in using technology (digital savvy) but also capable of recognising and managing risk (risk savvy), which includes understanding complaint channels and having the confidence to report any problems they encounter. “Knowing the available complaint channels and having the confidence to report a problem is not a sign of weakness. It is a form of consumer empowerment," Deputy Governor Filianingsih stated.
Bank Indonesia continues to strengthen consumer literacy and empowerment, particularly among younger generations, to enhance their ability to recognise and manage risks amid the rapid digitalisation of financial services. Deputy Governor Filianingsih emphasised that broader access to financial services must be accompanied by stronger literacy and consumer risk-management capabilities. “The speed of transactions must be matched by the speed of literacy. Access without understanding can create vulnerabilities, while innovation without trust will not be sustainable," Deputy Governor Filianingsih emphasised. This message is even more relevant amid the rapid digitalisation of payments and massive uptake of financial services among younger generations. As of August 2026, cumulative QRIS transactions since the beginning of the year reached 17.45 billion transactions, involving 69.32 million users and 47.11 million merchants. Meanwhile, the National Survey of Financial Literacy and Inclusion (SNLIK) in 2026 recorded a financial inclusion index of 95.69% among the 18-25 age group, exceeding the corresponding financial literacy index of 73.32%. This gap underscores the importance of ensuring that broader access to financial services is accompanied by greater understanding so that such services are used safely, wisely and responsibly.
Deputy Governor Filianingsih also emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing the proliferation of social engineering and digital fraud across platforms. Regulators have a role in strengthening policies and safeguards, the industry must ensure the security of products and services and responsible treatment of consumers, universities must broaden education, and the public must strengthen vigilance. Such collaboration supports “consumer protection from the product and service design stage in accordance with the Indonesia Payment System Blueprint 2030 and Bank Indonesia Regulation No. 6 of 2026 concerning Consumer Protection. “Digitalisation creates opportunities, literacy builds empowerment, and collaboration safeguards trust," she stated.
CERDAS PeKA Hub
CERDAS PeKA, or Cakrawala Edukasi dan Ruang Diskusi Aman untuk Semua Konsumen Indonesia (Education and Safe Discussion Space for All Indonesian Consumers) is a collaborative initiative between Bank Indonesia, UNAIR and PERBANAS that provides an education and discussion space, bringing consumer protection closer to the university environment. Through this facility, students can strengthen their understanding of financial products and services, recognise the risks associated with digital transactions, and obtain information concerning complaint mechanisms and channels when encountering problems. Students can receive education, while also discussing and consulting on financial products and services, digital transaction risks and consumer protection mechanisms. The education provided is tailored to the needs and characteristics of younger generations and will be expanded continuously through university and community networks to foster safe and responsible transaction habits, while strengthening trust in the digital economy and financial ecosystem.
This initiative forms an integral part of the Joint Consumer Protection Education Movement (GEBER PK). Consumer protection is promoted through three approaches, namely Peduli, Kenali and Adukan. Peduli means building awareness that transaction security is a shared responsibility. Kenali means encouraging consumers to routinely verify information, understand products and recognise risks. Adukan means encouraging consumers to know and use the appropriate complaint channels when encountering problems. “The strongest form of literacy is not merely knowledge, but literacy that becomes a habit in everyday decision-making," Deputy Governor Filianingsih stated.
The establishment of CERDAS PeKA within the university environment is expected to provide momentum for the sustainable development of similar initiatives towards creating a safe, inclusive, high-integrity and trusted digital economy and finance ecosystem in Indonesia. Moving forward, Bank Indonesia will continue strengthening collaboration with universities, associations and the payment system industry to broaden consumer education and protection, particularly for younger generations.
Jakarta, 2nd October 2026
Communication Department
Ramdan Denny Prakoso
Executive Director
