Following the “no contact apprehension” scam, Smart Communications is urging Filipinos to be vigilant against a new phishing tactic targeting mobile phone users.
The new modus involves SMS messages that pressure unsuspecting victims to claim “expiring points” and redeem “premium rewards” by clicking a fraudulent link. This link directs users to a fake website designed to steal personal information and financial details.
Smart emphasizes that they do not own the “smart-com-ph” site mentioned in these messages. The company has already reported the URL to authorities and blocked it from its network.
“We remind our customers to double-check the text messages that they receive. As a rule, Smart does not include clickable links in SMS sent to our customers. We urge our customers to report suspicious messages to official Smart platforms,” said Alex O. Caeg, Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.
Smart intensified its efforts to combat scams on its network. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, the company blacklisted nearly 200,000 mobile numbers and close to five million malicious URLs linked to phishing attempts.
If you receive a suspicious message or call, report it to Smart via cybersecurityincidents@smart.com.ph, their verified social media pages (Smart Communications on Facebook and @SmartCares on Twitter), or by calling their hotline *888.
In the meantime, here are some reminders on what to do to protect yourself:
- Ignore unverified text messages, especially those with links.
- Block or delete suspicious messages.
- Be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
- Never share personal or financial information to claim prizes.
By staying vigilant and following these tips, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these phishing scams.
