PLDT and Smart are working closely with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to put a stop to “scam hubs” – operations centers responsible for a large volume of fraudulent activities.
“We are working closely with the CICC to investigate the personalities behind ‘scam hubs’ and to hold them accountable for their roles in the illicit operations,” said Atty. Roy Ibay, Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs at Smart.
This initiative goes beyond stopping scam hubs. The Group is actively working with its distributors and dealers to ensure the secure sale and distribution of SIM cards.
Additionally, they’re upgrading their cybersecurity infrastructure. Over 500 million SMShing messages have been blocked in the first five months of 2024 alone. Smart has also blacklisted over 100,000 malicious numbers in May.
Employees are also part of the solution. PLDT and Smart have equipped their workforce with “Watchdog,” a tool to report suspicious messages. Reporting mechanisms for customers are also being streamlined.
Consumer awareness also remains a key strategy. PLDT and Smart’s #BeCyberSmart and #MagingCyberSmart campaigns educate users on identifying scams. The companies actively seek collaboration with government agencies, industry peers, and the public to create a comprehensive anti-scam strategy.
If you suspect a scam, report it to cybersecurityincidents@smart.com.ph or cybersecurityincidents@pldt.com.ph. You can also reach out via Smart’s official social media pages or call *888.
