Smart supports government push vs scams

MANILA, Philippines — Telco giant Smart Communications has supported the government’s push to partner with telecommunications firms and connectivity providers to stop online and text-based scams and unsolicited text promotions.

Smart, a subsidiary of PLDT Inc., has stepped up its efforts to protect customers against fraud amid the proliferation of “mobile phone-aided fraudulent activities, such as phishing, vishing and SMShing,” said Smart regulatory affairs head Roy Ibay.

The Philippine government must exercise oversight of the legitimate use of cell site simulators, which have been used by scammers as “fake cell towers” to send text scams to mobile users, Smart said.

In 2023, the National Privacy Commission along with Smart and other telcos signed an agreement to cooperate to ensure customer data protection.

Smart also teamed up with the National Telecommunications Commission and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center in investigating, apprehending and prosecuting scammers.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology earlier revealed that tools and equipment to block the sending of unwanted or offending messages will be provided to the country’s three telcos and internet service providers.

Smart has advised customers not to click links in unsolicited messages.

In the first quarter of the year, Smart has blocked more than 13 million SMShing messages and blacklisted almost 200,000 mobile numbers involved in phishing activities.