NTC orders telcos anew to blast warnings vs. fake job text messages

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has once again ordered telecommunications companies to blast warnings to the public against spam text messages that entice subscribers of high-paying jobs.

In a memorandum dated June 9, the NTC directed mobile network service providers DITO Telecommunity, Globe Telecom and Smart Communications to text blast to their subscribers from June 11 to June 17 the following message:

“BABALA. HUWAG PONG MANIWALA SA TEXT NA NAG-AALOK NG TRABAHO NA MAY PANGAKO NA MALAKING SWELDO. ITO PO AY ISANG SCAM.”

The NTC issued a similar order last month, which ordered telcos to blast warnings to the mobile phone users from May 28 to June 4. 

In issuing the latest order, the telecommunications regulator said that “the proliferation of fake job text scams has continued and even intensified over the past month across telecommunications networks in the country, to the detriment of the public.”

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, earlier called on the NTC and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to increase their efforts in addressing the "unabated surge" of text scams, saying that the unwanted text messages have persisted with new gimmicks to bait and deceive mobile phone users. 

The NTC also directed the telco to accelerate the process of blocking SIM cards that are being utilized to perpetrate the fraudulent activities and further increase their respective public information campaigns to widen awareness of the issue.

Telcos were given until June 20 to submit their written reports of compliance to the NTC.

The agency also directed its regional directors and officers-in-charge to appear before local radio and television stations within their respective jurisdictions to warn the public against the continuing text scams from June 11 to June 17 and “further increase their local public information campaigns to propagate sustained awareness of the issue.”

They have until June 20 to submit their compliance report.

Earlier, technology experts warned against the spam messages, saying scammers send them with the objective to obtain the personal details of their victims.

In April this year, President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed the measure seeking the mandatory registration of all SIM cards and social media accounts, saying it needs further study.

The bill seeks to put an end to electronic and mobile phone-aided criminal activities and text scams, and guarantee a safer and more secure mobile phone and cyberspace use in the country.—LDF, GMA News