Globe Telecom Inc. yesterday urged mobile subscribers to use in-device filters to block scam text messages.
Anton Bonifacio, Globe chief information security officer, said mobile phone users should exercise greater vigilance against SMS scams to better protect themselves and complement industry efforts against this long-running crime that, like a virus, evolves into “variants” to bypass countermeasures.
Bonifacio, who leads Globe’s efforts to block scam messages and deactivate fraud-linked SIMs, likened SMS fraud to a virus that adapts to constantly improving methods and technologies used to stop scams.
As such, a crucial way for mobile users to be protected is to wear “double masks” – telco blocking and public awareness, he said.
“As much as telcos are doing what they can to block spam and scam messages, that is just one protective measure. Online scams and fraud viruses are very strong so you need to be aware of another layer of protection. Mobile users can easily enable anti-spam filters on their mobile devices and they should always be vigilant of scams. It has to go both ways,” said Bonifacio.
He added Globe has been vigorously coming out with reminders to the public and instructional social media posts on how customers can enable spam filters on their devices, report unwanted SMS on the network’s Stop Spam portal, and detect suspicious messages they receive.
“If both telcos and customers will exercise vigilance, I think there are better chances that we can stop them,” Bonifacio said.
Globe said customers should activate spam filters on their Android phones.
From January to June 15, Globe blocked over 138 million spam and scam messages, including more than 9 million reported through partner banks. The total figure includes app-to-person and person-to-person messages of both local and international origin.
Globe also deactivated 12,877 mobile numbers due to spamming from January to May through reports from customers on its Stop Spam web portal. – Myla Iglesias
