MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid has asked the Senate to look into the proliferation of “text scams” that pester cellphone users.
In Senate Resolution No. 855, Lapid also wants the chamber to direct appropriate committees to inquire on the measures being undertaken by the National Telecommunications Commission and the private telecommunication companies “to put a stop to these unscrupulous transactions.”
“Recently, prepaid mobile subscribers are pestered by text scams that mask as discount, refund, prizes, stranded relatives and other fraudulent claims that are actually share-a-load transactions,” said the resolution.
“Said dodgy text messages are directed at postpaid subscribers and trick them into sending load credits to scammers.”
Despite actions taken by telecommunication providers to warn their patrons particularly their postpaid subscribers, Lapid said, many are still misled into believing and are swindled by this unscrupulous scheme.
He then saw a need for a more concrete plan of action to catch these swindlers, who prey on innocent mobile subscribers.
“There is a need to investigate how these swindlers get access to mobile numbers of postpaid subscribers and institute measures that will strengthen the protection of mobile phone subscribers,” Lapid said in the resolution.
“There is an urgent need to address this matter and dig deeper into possible breach of security and privacy to put a halt on the misuse of personal data of mobile subscribers,” he further said.
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