The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) warned motorists of another scam involving traffic violations that are spread through text messages containing a link that could compromise important personal information.
In a statement, the MMDA said the scam is called “No-Touch Penalty” that is supposedly being implemented by the MMDA.
“We have no policy like this. The MMDA does not even send text messages about notice of traffic violation,” said MMDA acting chairman Don Artes.
Based on the initial investigation, the link that is encouraged to be clicked on the text messages redirects the victim to the fake website of the Land Transportation Office which states that users would know the traffic violation if they input their license plates.
Artes said they are now working with the LTO to identify and hold responsible all those involved in the new scam.
The “No-Touch Penalty” appears to be connected to the phishing scam that the LTO earlier warned the public about.
In a separate statement, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II said the phishing scam is perpetrated by online scammers by impersonating the LTO through text messages claiming that the target victims have traffic violations.
The same text message contains a link to alleged LTO website and once all the details have been input to the fake websites, the selection of payment option would redirect the user to a counterfeit login page which is designed to steal the information from the users.
Both Artes and Mendoza advised the motorists to ignore the text message and to ensure that they would not click the link.
The MMDA said those who received or would receive the message could call the MMDA Hotline 136.
The LTO, on the other hand, said they could inform the agency through its “Aksyon on the Spot 09292920865”.