Globe renews its call for the public to exercise vigilance against SMS spoofing, a sophisticated scam tactic that has seen a resurgence in recent months, with fraudsters using names of reputable organizations to take advantage of customers’ trust.
Spoofing involves fraudsters impersonating legitimate SMS sender IDs, including Globe and other organizations, to trick recipients into believing that the messages are authentic. This technique has become increasingly prevalent, particularly in Metro Manila, despite the implementation of SIM registration last year aimed at curbing SMS fraud.
Customers have reported receiving spoofed messages that mimic Globe’s sender ID, enticing them with fraudulent links or else hooking them with claims of account problems. These deceptive messages aim to steal personal and sensitive information, which can grant scammers access to online accounts such as social media profiles, e-wallets, and bank accounts.
Globe is taking proactive steps to combat spoofing, including issuing public warnings, collaborating with industry partners and law enforcement agencies to apprehend scammers, and investing in advanced security measures to detect and block spoofed messages.
“Spoofing is a form of cybercrime that is becoming increasingly difficult to detect. We urge everyone to be extra cautious with any SMS that asks for personal information or prompts to click on a link. Globe will never send a clickable link in its official customer advisories,” said Anton Bonifacio, Globe’s Chief Information Security Officer.
Spoofing is a global concern, facilitated by the use of illegal devices known as International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers or fake cell towers. These devices can intercept mobile communications within a certain radius, allowing fraudsters to send messages with spoofed sender IDs that bypass network spam filters.
Globe urges the public to report any suspicious messages to its customer service channels and to follow these digital security best practices:
- Never click on links from unknown sources.
- Never share personal information via SMS.
- Regularly update your knowledge on the latest scam tactics.
- Be wary of unsolicited messages that offer deals that seem too good to be true.
- Turn on spam filters on your phone, if feature is available.
By raising awareness and promoting collective vigilance, Globe aims to protect its customers and the public from these harmful practices.
