How to report text scams

James Ryan Jonas

It’s annoying to wake up to an SMS message you don’t expect, and even worst when that text is a spam/scam message. Earlier, the following obvious scam message unfortunately woke me up.

E2 bago roaming # k. Mzta n kau jan? Ok lang ako d2 my pa2 dor 2 dor akong mga gamit jan. Mern k dun. Loadan m muna ako 500 n prepaid kard im4rtante lng tnx.

(This is my new roaming number. How are you over there? I’ll be sending a package and it includes something for you. Send me prepaid card load first worth P500. A bit important. Thanks.)

Sent by cellphone number 09152469411

Yeah right. If you can’t afford to buy prepaid card load, then don’t bother to send me the package! !@#$%^! LOL.

That SMS message is just one example of text scams circulating right now. The scam is similar to the Yahoo! Messenger (YM) prepaid load scammer who would assume the identity of someone you know then tricks you into sending prepaid load.

I hope none would fall for that (although I’m pretty sure there are some who would).

Help fight scammers by reporting SMS scams. For Globe and Touch Mobile users, you can report it by calling the Globe hotline 211 and TM hotline 808 or by sending an e-mail to custhelp@globetel.com.ph.

You can also contact the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at 751-3330 to report these scams.

James Ryan Jonas teaches business management, investments, and entrepreneurship at the University of the Philippines (UP). He is also the Executive Director of UP Provident Fund Inc., managing and investing P3.2 Billion ($56.4 Million) worth of retirement funds on behalf of thousands of UP employees.