DICT warns of ‘re-programmed’ approach by text scammers

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy warned the public against text scammers who have “re-programmed” their approach to "capture personal information online."

Uy said scammers have been sending texts asking subscribers if they have already registered their SIM cards as mandated by the law. If one falls for this, he/she will be directed to a fake website.

“So, dumami na naman iyong mga text scams... but most of them now have redirected … or re-program their approach, panloloko nila asking people ‘nag register na ba kayo ng SIM card ninyo kung hindi pa click this link and you go to their site, which is a fake site’,” Uy said in a Palace press briefing.

According to Uy, text scammers will be able to capture the subscribers’ data if they put their information on the provided fake link.

“They also have exploited... [with] respect to e-wallets... purportedly you will receive a text coming from e-wallet provider na 'O, kung nag-reregister na kayo ng SIM card kailangang mag re-register kayo sa e-wallet ninyo in order to be able to activate it’,” Uy said.

(You will receive a text from a supposed e-wallet provider: "If you have registered your SIM, you also need to re-register your e-wallet to be able to activate it.")

Uy said the Philippine government hoped that Filipino subscribers would immediately register their SIM cards under the SIM Card Registration law to put an end to the avenue of defrauding people through text messages.

Uy also said there would be no extension to the July 26 deadline for the SIM card registration.

Data from the DICT showed that there are over five million subscribers who have already registered their SIM cards as of May 10, 2023. — DVM, GMA Integrted News