In an interview yesterday with "Storycon" on One News, CICC deputy executive director Assistant Secretary Mary Rose Magsaysay said cybercriminals have found "creative" ways to scam people, especially after the implementation of the SIM card registration law.
Some, for instance, are using "text blasters" to make it appear that the messages come from legitimate sources such as financial institutions and mobile wallets.
Fraudsters are also using other messaging platforms to send scam messages, she added.
"We encourage you to call 1326, our CICC hotline, because every single call and number and instance that we (receive), we get to be able to find out where exactly are these text blasters roaming around," Magsaysay said.
"Sometimes it's in a car, sometimes it's in a tower. It's cheaper to steal that way," she added, referring to the use of "spoofing" devices.
The CICC official said they are working with other government agencies and the private sector to address the issue.
Popular mobile wallets such as GCash and Maya, as well as banks with digital platforms, have repeatedly issued warnings against online scams, including those that use spoofing devices to make it appear that the messages come from them.
They warned the public not to click on links or share one-time passwords or codes sent to their registered devices.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III has also issued a warning against "holiday-themed" scams this Christmas season.
"Let us be careful this Christmas season. There are scammers out there waiting for the opportunity to fool people," Pimentel said.
This story is from the December 28, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 28, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BOI eyes release of new SIPP within H1
The Board of Investments (BOI) expects to release the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) for 2025 to 2028, which will identify activities eligible for incentives, within the first half of the year.
ENZO PINEDA PROUD OF BEST ACTOR WIN AT 2025 EMIRATES FILMFEST
Kapamilya actor Enzo Pineda bagged the Best Actor award at the 11th edition of the Emirates Film Festival, held at the Emirates Training Academy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, last Jan. 18.
Perpetual spikers favored in NCAA
The University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Altas men’s sand spikers and their female counterparts from Letran gun for grand slam championships in the NCAA Season 100 beach volleyball that unwraps on Tuesday at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone’s sand courts.
Bureaucratese
When accurate communication could prove ruinous, bureaucrats often resort to confusing euphemisms to smooth the harshness of truth. They call it “bureaucratic subliminal.”
Comelec holds mock polls in 30 barangays
To better prepare for the May 12 elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will hold mock polls today in 30 barangays across the country.
Trade gap widens to $54.2 B in 2024
As imports pick up while exports continue to drop
A new epidemic
There is a new epidemic permeating the local basketball community.
Dialogue eyed with Boracay LGUs on ‘excessive fees, delays’
The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) plan to meet with local government officials of Aklan province and the municipality of Malay, home to the famous Boracay island, to address complaints from tourism businesses regarding alleged “excessive fees” and delays experienced by some tourists.
PSA offers toast to MVP Group
One of the fervent supporters of Philippine sports won't be missed out in the San Miguel Corp.-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel on Monday.
Judge temporarily blocks Trump’s plan to end birthright citizenship
A federal judge Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's executive order to end automatic citizenship for babies born on US soil, dealing the president his first setback as he attempts to upend the nation's immigration laws and reverse decades of precedent.
