Telcos warn subscribers about new Text Scam - Reposted from Yugatech

Telcos warn subscribers about new Text Scam

Globe Telecoms and Smart Communications have issued a warning to the public about a new scam that involves receiving SMS and voice calls from an anonymous person asking for ransom and claiming that one of the subscriber’s loved ones were kidnapped.

Image Copyright of Yugatech

According to reports, the modus operandi includes a person guised as a customer service rep from one of the telcos asking a user (the one who is alleged to be abducted) to turn off their handset for 2 hours for a “network-related upgrade” either through phone call or SMS.

After that, the fake rep or an accomplice will contact the subscriber’s family and/or relative claiming that their love one was kidnapped and is asking for a ransom for his/her release. It’s also been said that the group will even ask somebody to cry for help on the background to make their ploy even more believable.

“We reiterate and warn the public of these criminal elements capitalizing on our network modernization initiatives. Customers who receive suspicious calls from persons claiming to be Globe agents should clarify with our customer service personnel,”

- Vicente Froilan M. Castelo, General Counsel of Globe Telecoms

In a statement, Mr. Castelo states that Globe Telecoms “will never ask its customers to turn off their cell phones for any network-related purpose and those who receive such calls should immediately report the numbers used for the call.”

Both Smart Communications and Globe Telecoms have already put up their respective initiatives to lessen, if not totally eliminate any kind of scams involving SMS and voice calls. Subscribers can report any suspicious numbers by following the procedures listed on Yugatech's previous post.

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Yugatech has granted my request via e-mail to re-post this article.

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Reposting Globe Advisory- Stop Text Scam

This may be a bit late but I am still re-posting here Globe's advisory against text scams as my way of helping spreading word among cellphone users in general and fellow Globe prepaid subscribers in particular. In the hope that all of them become aware of text scams.

Globe's Advisory on its Website last May 20, 2014 re-posted here in full:

Let us all be vigilant against text scammers!



Globe Telecom advises its mobile customers to take precaution and not fall victim to text scams on supposed "discount", "refund", "prizes", "stranded relatives" and other fraudulent claims but are actually share-a-load transactions. The campaign versus text scam is in conjunction with its intensified drive versus companies involved in text spams.

The text scams, directed mostly to postpaid customers of Globe, tricks subscribers into sending load credits through various fraudulent claims.

In the case of supposed "discount" or "refund", Globe emphasized that legitimate advisories from the telecommunications provider are labeled from "GLOBE" and do not come from 11-digit numbers. Subscribers may validate unusual texts and calls with the company's customer service agents, said Yoly Crisanto, Globe SVP for Corporate Communications.

A sample scam message reads as follows: "GLOBE POSTPAID: You're the one selected postpaid plan that given 35% discount on your bill just forward this PIN 500 1212 send to 2915XXXXXXXX (ex. 5001212 send to 2915XXXXXXX)." Another example states: "Globe LTE Advisory: Your postpaid account has been charged P500 for LTE use. Is this a wrong charge? Text 500 send to 2936XXXXXXX for REFUND".

Crisanto reminded subscribers that by adding the number "2" before the 10-digit cell phone number of the recipient, the unsuspecting subscriber would have done a Share-A-Load transaction, thus the sum of 500 pesos in the two examples above would be transferred or credited to the prepaid number to which the message was sent to.

Another text scam informs customers they supposedly won in a raffle contest they never participated in and the text message provides "steps" on how to claim the prize. Another text scam involves relatives working abroad supposedly using a new prepaid number, also aimed at tricking subscribers into doing a Share-A-Load transaction.

Globe customers are advised not to respond and, instead, immediately report suspicious text messages to authorized Globe customer service channels. Customers may report mobile numbers used in sending out fraudulent or scam text messages, Crisanto said. Globe customers may report via the Globe website through Talk2Globe Chat ; send a message through Globe Contact Form and by tweeting @Talk2GLOBE on Twitter. Subscribers can put in the number, the exact message, and the time and date the fraudulent text message was received. Such numbers will be immediately disconnected from service once the company gets validation that the same are indeed used for such unscrupulous activities.

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Nokia Lottery Scam

Apparently, bad people are scamming Nokia users abroad. The official Nokia Blog just posted a warning about the Nokia Lottery Scam.

The scammers are sending e-mails or SMS, informing prospective victims that they won a big amount money in a lottery which is of course false.

To collect your winnings, you will be asked to send some fee or bank information.

It is the international version of the Phil. Charity Foundation Text Scam. And even though Nokia has been warning about it since 2009, scammers still persists in victimizing people.

Here's a sample e-mail of the Nokia Lottery Scam.

Don't ever respond to any e-mail or SMS informing you of such. Keep in mind that you will not be able to win a contest you never joined.

And also spread this news to every cellphone user you know. Knowing is winning half the battle against the Nokia Lottery Scam and these scammers.

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Text Scam Continues - Philippine Charity Foundation Text Scam

I thought this Text Scam had already been exposed. But I guess not enough.

Yesterday, I received the following text/sms. I typed the message as is from my inbox.

I hope you won't fall for it and be the next victim.

(Congrats)! ur Simcard# won php780,000.2nd prize winner draw last night.to claim ur Prize call now!I'M Atty. WENDIL C, PENEDA,/from.D'auditor of phil's charity Foundation)Per Dti#5247#Ser of 2010,

- +639061934475

This is a long running text scam. Do not waste your time calling. Never claim a prize for a raffle/contest you didn't voluntarily enter into. Most likely, you will be asked to purchase a number of phone cards and to send the pin codes before you can claim your prize. Remember, if there is some kind of payment to claim your winnings, it's 99% scam.

This Philippine Charity Foundation Text Scam have been all over the internet now. As far as I remember, I already received this kind of message four times. There are variations but basically the same. But the fact that I again received this kind of text scam means there are still unlawful people out there ready to victimize cellphone users.

Do not fall for this kind of scam via text/sms. First of all, you are unlikely to win if you do not enter into any raffle. Secondly, if only a number shows up in your inbox, it is more likely sent by a strangers. Beware of strangers promising prizes.

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Just another Texting/SMS scam

Beware of Text/SMS scams. This is another true-to-life scams perpetuated by unscrupulous people using Texting or Short Messaging System.

One of my loadxtreme retailers who also works as a Customer Service Representative in one of the major Telcos shared the sad plight of a victim.

The victim, a female, received a congralutory text from someone using another networks sim. The victim, got excited upon knowing that she allegedly won. She unsuspectingly followed the scammers direction to buy 12 prepaid cards and divulge the codes in the prepaid cards to the scammers.

Upon realizing that she had been duped, she immediately notified the customer service of her mobile provider, hoping against hope that the prepaid cards be put on hold.

Let us not be a victim to these Text/SMS scammers!

If you did not join any raffles or contests don't believe anyone that claims you did by some lucky turn of events.

Also, as much as possible, never reply to anonymous texters.

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