Senders of text scams are using fake cell towers, according to Smart Communications Inc.
In a statement, Smart has warned the public that scammers use “fake cell towers” to send text scams to mobile users and even use “Smart” as the sender name.
“Our investigation did not find any evidence that these malicious text messages passed through our network. The illegal ‘cell site simulators’ can also spoof or mimic mobile numbers to deceive subscribers into thinking that they’re receiving legitimate text messages,” said Cathy Yang, PLDT Inc. and Smart Group head of corporate communications.
These devices are able to lock on to mobile phones within a specified radius, enabling the scammers to push messages directly to subscribers’ devices without having to go through its network, Smart added.
While cell site simulators are typically used in disaster-stricken areas as temporary emergency communication platforms, Smart noted the need for government oversight on the legitimate use of these devices.
Smart said it is working with the government to regulate the use and importation of these types of illegal devices.
It has also engaged the National Telecommunications Commission and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center for collaborative efforts to fight SMShing and other similar fraudulent activities that include the investigation, apprehension and prosecution of scammers.
The company said a few subscribers had recently reported receiving text messages supposedly coming from Smart about expiring rewards points.
Upon investigating, Smart discovered that the link included in the fraudulent short messaging service (SMS) led to a fake Smart website that asked for payment to redeem the rewards points. Smart had earlier blocked the phishing domain from being accessed by its subscribers.
Smart said it continues to remind customers to double-check links that are included in unsolicited SMS.
