The holiday season is bringing a wave of scams. The latest one that’s having a resurgence is SMS spoofing.
Globe Telecom again issued a warning to the public regarding these scams. The tactic involves fraudsters pretending to be legitimate senders, including Globe, Smart, and other companies, to trick recipients into giving up personal information.
This technique has become increasingly prevalent, particularly in Metro Manila, despite the implementation of SIM registration last year aimed at curbing SMS fraud.
Globe subscribers have reported receiving spoofed messages that mimic Globe’s sender ID. These deceptive messages aim to steal personal and sensitive information, which can give scammers access to online accounts such as social media profiles, e-wallets, and bank accounts.
Globe is actively combating spoofing through public advisories, collaboration with industry partners and law enforcement, and investment in advanced security measures.
SMS spoofing uses illegal devices called IMSI catchers or fake cell towers. These devices can intercept mobile communications within a specific area, allowing scammers to bypass network spam filters and send messages with spoofed sender IDs.
Globe is encouraging its subscribers to report any suspicious messages. To protect yourself from scams, follow these digital security practices:
- Avoid clicking on links from unknown senders.
- Never share personal information via SMS.
- Stay informed about the latest scam tactics.
- Be wary of unsolicited messages with unbelievable offers.
- Enable spam filters on your mobile phone, if available.
For more information on Globe’s anti-spoofing efforts and digital safety initiatives, visit their official website or Facebook page. You can also learn more about the telco’s online safety efforts at https://www.globe.com.ph/.
