In just 30 days (Oct. 21 to Nov. 20), Smart Communications, Inc. blocked up to 15,000 mobile numbers related to SMS hoax and spam, as well as 40 domains and Internet Protocol (IP) addresses that online scammers use, the telco reported Nov. 23, 2021.
The move came after a sudden spike in reports of SMS spam, where mobile users receive unsolicited but enticing messages from strange numbers.
Targeted mobile users then end up as victims of elaborate online phishing and fraud.
“We are one with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the National Privacy Commission (NPC), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in protecting our customers from this scam," according to PLDT and Smart President and CEO Al Panlilio.
"We also encourage our customers to be vigilant against SMS spamming accounts so we can work with authorities to stop these cybercriminals,” he added.
Already, Smart has embarked on an awareness campaign via its social media accounts to call attention to SMS spam-based scams.
The telco cautioned mobile users against entertaining questions or surveys from unknown senders, as well as providing thevpersonal information to strangers.
In addition, mobile users can use their SMS app’s built-in blocking feature.
Mobile users who receive suspicious and unsolicited SMS can report the scammers and their numbers direct to the NTC, via https://ntc.gov.ph/complaint.
The NTC, after due process, can order Smart to cut the cybercriminals’ numbers.
Smart has blocked access to domains or website addresses and specific IP addresses related to fraudulent schemes.
“We protect our customers and block suspicious accounts on several layers," says PLDT and Smart Chief Information and Security Officer Angel T. Redoble.
"We block fraudulent accounts based on mobile numbers associated with fraud. But since mobile numbers can be easily replaced, we also block the domain and IP address levels, as soon as we have evidence that scammers use them as platforms,” he explained.
"We believe that this is a huge and sophisticated scam by an organized global syndicate," Redoble noted.
Hence, "Customers should never share sensitive information, especially with strangers, no matter how enticing the offer may sound."