Report text scams: agency

THE National Telecommunications Commission is reminding the public to be cautious of text message scams and is encouraging them to report these to their agency.

Engr. Jesus Laureno, NTC 7 regional director, said that legitimate promotional text messages are received in four digits.

“If they received it via the usual numbers with 11-digits, that may be a scam,” said Laureno.

He encouraged all cellphone users to report any malicious text or scams to NTC.

“We will block those numbers initiating scams if concerned citizens be able to report them. They should not hesitate to report it to us so that no one will be victimized by this,” added Laureno.

Allan Macaraya, NTC legal officer, said there has been a constant proposal to Congress about the mandatory registration of sim cards.

“For how many years this has been proposed, but Congress is still hesitant to approve such a law,” said Macaraya.

Verification needed

Macaraya said that once an individual reports to NTC about any malicious text messages, they will still have to verify the information.

He added that the best way to avoid being victimized by text scams is to disregard those text messages.

Meanwhile, NTC recently issued a memorandum circular, which presents guidelines for public broadcast of text messages during emergencies. 

Laureno said that pursuant to RA-7925 and Executive Order 546 series of 1979, the NTC promulgated Memorandum Order 06-04-2011 that guides public safety broadcast of messages during emergencies and calamities.

Role

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) will be tasked by NTC in disseminating public safety broadcast text messages in cases of emergencies and calamities.

“This is to counter malicious text messages that may cause panic during emergencies or disaster situations such as typhoons, earthquakes, and floods, among others,” Laureno said. 

On March 15, a meeting will be conducted by NTC 7 together with the members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) to discuss the possibilities of improving the services of government offices in times of calamities.