FILE PHOTO: Mobile phone users have been advised to be wary about text messages from unknown senders who may be stealing sensitive information. INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — The National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Thursday said it is monitoring and investigating the proliferation of spam text messages that contain people’s names and phone numbers.
In a statement, Privacy Commissioner John Henry Naga said the agency “is monitoring and investigating the proliferation of unsolicited text messages (texts) from anonymous numbers, with some containing receiver’s names.”
Naga also said that the agency coordinates with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) “to share information and conduct concerted actions” in response to the incidents.
The NPC commissioner also urged phone users to be more vigilant when engaging in online activities.
“Consistent with our thrust to empower our citizens, we urge vigilance in protecting personal data whether online or offline, especially in activities that require the disclosure of names, numbers, and other information that could divulge our identities,” he also said.
The NTC ordered local telecommunication companies to do a text blast to their subscribers, warning them against such scams.
NTC ordered Globe Telecom Inc., Smart Communications Inc., and Dito Telecommunity Corp. to do the text blast from August 31 to September 6 and submit a written report of compliance with the commission on September 9.
Several personalities and lawmakers also raised the alarm about the proliferation of such text messages.
In a Twitter post, Associate Justice Marivic Leonen described the situation as “very dangerous,” asserting that “this means that there is a data provider out there that has leaked or sold or been careless about our information.”
Senators Grace Poe and Juan Miguel Zubiri have also re-filed separate bills that would mandate the registration of subscriber identity module (SIM) cards to combat text scams and other forms of fraud.
Aside from such texts, among the suspicious texts were fake jobs, sham lucky winners, and other money-making schemes that aim to deceive and dupe unsuspecting receivers.
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