Poe laments NTC’s failure to address text scams

MANILA, Philippines — With the proliferation of text scams victimizing millions of mobile users in the country, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) blocked only 800 messages this year – a reality that Sen. Grace Poe described as a “tragic revelation.”

Poe expressed disappointment over the NTC’s failure to act against text scams, noting that the agency appeared to be content only with the public information work by telling telcos to issue warnings against scams.

“What are you doing, don’t you have complaint hotlines? Have you caught anyone?” she asked NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, who responded saying the hotline is on the NTC’s website.

“You don’t memorize your hotline? If you don’t know your hotline number, do you think we can? I’m very disappointed. If you were really serious about this issue, this would be at the top of your head and you would really tell the public that this is the number that you can call and text,” Poe stressed.

Expressing her exasperation when Cordoba admitted that NTC blocked only 800 messages since January, Poe told the agency to wake up and work harder.

“How many cellphones are there, around 100 million and you blocked only 800 (messages). This is so tragic… Issue order (of blocking) more frequently. Work harder to warn subscribers,” she said.

PBGen Joel Doria of the Philippine National Police – Anti Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) told the Senate committee on public services yesterday that scammers could have sourced an individual’s personal information from phone applications, money service providers or the dark web.

This is aside from the possibility that scammers may have sourced their information from contact tracing forms that need to be filled at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy said he shared Poe’s frustration over the inability of agencies to crack down on scammers as he assured that the department signed a memorandum of agreement with the Ministry of Singapore to provide the Philippines with upgrading of skills in responding to cyber threats.

“There is a serious capacity deficiency. Many of the first world countries have addressed several of these concerns. Many cyber scams are deeper than what they seem,” Uy said.

Aside from scamming, Poe said phones are also used in terrorist activities, spreading fake news, trolls, cyber bullying and other forms of fraud like phishing that necessitate the registration of SIM cards.

Doria assured Poe that the PNP-ACG has the capabilities to investigate and go after text scammers.

He advised individuals to call PNP-ACG hotline 8888 for help, noting that the unit will “usually contact the complainant and request them to file a formal complaint” to be able to file cases.

“For the capabilities of our personnel, we have four fundamental training for our personnel. We have the introduction to cybercrime investigation course, identification and seizure of digital evidence, the introduction to digital forensics and investigations, and the proactive internet investigation course,” he said.

To help deter text scams, Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco asserted the need for mandatory registration of postpaid and prepaid subscriber identification module or SIM cards.

Tiangco, who heads the House committee on information and communications technology, said in a statement that mandatory SIM card registration could help in easily tracing scammers through their cellphone numbers and prevent data breach.

Globe blocks 37 million text scams

Meanwhile, the Globe group has blocked nearly 37 million bank-related text scams and spams, banking on its partnership with financial institutions in preventing digital crimes and fraud.

As of August, Globe already blocked 136.7 million scam messages that tried to dupe users into giving up their personal and sensitive information, particularly bank details.

As the recent spate of text scams worries Filipinos, Globe vowed to lead industry collaborations in coming up with detection and reporting systems that respond to cyber security threats.

Globe said its partnership with the Bankers Association of the Philippines plays a crucial role in preventing financial crimes in the digital space. The firm attributed to the tie-up with BAP its success in blocking attempts of identity theft, phishing and vishing and text spams.

In August, Globe and BAP signed a memorandum of understanding to put up a network for information sharing among member banks and the telco giant. This MOU eyes to address the rising cases of digital crimes that deceive customers into falling for financial fraud.

Globe chief information security officer Anton Bonifacio said partnerships, such as the MOU with BAP, enable telco players to improve their detection and blocking systems.

“Rapid detection and action against illicit activity on Globe network have been made possible by the groundbreaking information exchange frameworks with banks,” Bonifacio said.

“These enhance the overall efficiency of fraud investigation and prevention,” he added.

Aside from blocking millions of scam and spam texts, Globe deactivated 14,058 mobile numbers found to be involved in fraudulent activities. Also, the Ayala-led telco blacklisted another 8,793 in the seven months to July in a continuation of efforts to protect its customer base.

Bonifacio said Globe will keep on investing in its cybersecurity infrastructure to make sure that it can act on new forms of digital crimes and fraud. At present, the firm runs an operations center that works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to detect and defend against data breaches.

Globe has spent about P1.1 billion to boost its capabilities in tracing and blacklisting scammers.  – Ghio Ong, Elijah Felice Rosales