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Smart partners with NPC and NBI to combat text scammers

Smart Communications is closely working with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division to put a stop to text scams.

Smart says it supports a government-led joint investigation involving telecommunications companies that will put a stop to the criminal activity.

After Smart’s crackdown on fake job text offers that found their way to some aggregators, Angel Redoble, FVP and Chief Information Security Officer at PLDT and Smart, said that criminals have shifted their mode of attack and have exploited vulnerabilities of other platforms.

“What we have discovered is that the culprits are now running the modus person-to-person. Using prepaid SIMs subscribed to unli-texting promos, they blast these messages without going through aggregators,” explained Redoble.

For its part, Smart has intensified blocking mobile numbers and domains tied to the fraudulent activity. The company is also tracking down the point of distribution of SIM cards that were used in recent ‘smishing’ attacks. Redoble also reiterated the company’s support to the proposed SIM card registration bill.

“The proposed measure will significantly impact the operations of criminals. Already, they’re finding it more expensive to run their modus using prepaid SIMs because of our blocking efforts,” added Redoble.

While waiting for the passage of the proposed SIM card registration bill, Smart is already exploring different platforms that criminals might exploit to run similar activities.

See also: Smart: No breach in systems, individual SIMs are source of scam text messages

Smart’s efforts to detect and block malicious messages, including SIMs and websites tied to fraudulent activities, are part of a much broader program to elevate the quality of customer experience by protecting them from threats and attacks.

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