Anticrime tips vs fake telco men, scammers

In view of reports that certain persons have been posing as telecommunications repairmen to commit crime, Smart Communications has issued tips on how the public can avoid being victimized:

Do not allow entry to contractors or repairmen when you do not have a pending request for repair or troubleshooting. Relay the same advice to the rest of the household, including helpers.

If you have requested such services from your fixed line or mobile service provider, get the exact day and time these personnel would arrive.

Check their IDs and the details of their service order before letting them into the house. Take a photo of their vehicle’s plate number.

Scammers can still victimize you even without personal contact. Be wary of people asking you to send an SMS to 808 or 2292. 808 is Smart’s official Pasaload number, while 2292 is Sun’s Give-A-Load number. If someone tells you to send a text message to this number in exchange for prizes, refunds, discounts or free load, do not be fooled.

To protect subscribers, Smart and Sun now require them to confirm Pasaload and Give-A-Load requests to make sure they are aware that they are making the transactions.

Be extra careful when dealing with callers or texters using unknown numbers, especially when they tell you that you’ve won a raffle or promo that you did not even join in the first place. Note that Smart always notifies its promo winners via registered mail and a call from phone number 7777. When in doubt, verify Smart promos by calling *888 using your Smart mobile or tweeting @SmartCares.

Verify the identity of people claiming to be your relatives, like those who say they are from abroad and have a new roaming number. Get in touch with your loved ones through their old numbers to verify.

If someone calls to tell you your loved one is involved in an emergency and needs money immediately, do not panic. Call your loved one to confirm.

Do not post the details and photos in your passport, driver’s license or your TIN, etc. on social media.

Do background checks on online sellers and people offering loans and investments over the Internet. Consult experts before making transactions.

Report such scams to the National Telecommunications Commission’s One Stop Public Assistance Center at (02) 9213251 or (02) 9267722, or e-mail address [email protected].